How much does it cost to incarcerate an inmate?

via http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/laomenus/sections/crim_justice/6_cj_inmatecost.aspx?catid=3

California’s Annual Costs to Incarcerate an
Inmate in Prison

2008-09

Type of Expenditure
Per Inmate Costs

Security
$19,663

Inmate Health Care
$12,442

Medical care
$8,768

Psychiatric services
1,928

Pharmaceuticals
998

Dental care
748

Operations
$7,214

Facility operations (maintenance, utilities, etc.)
$4,503

Classification services
1,773

Maintenance of inmate records
660

Reception, testing, assignment
261

Transportation
18


Administration
$3,493

Inmate Support
$2,562

Food
$1,475

Inmate activities
439

Inmate employment and canteen
407

Clothing
171

Religious activities
70

Rehabilitation Programs
$1,612

Academic education
$944

Vocational training
354

Substance abuse programs
313

Miscellaneous
$116

Total
$47,102

It costs an average of about $47,000 per year to incarcerate an inmate in prison in California.
Over two-thirds of these costs are for security and inmate health care.
Since 2000-01, the average annual cost has increased by about $19,500. This includes an increase of $8,300 for inmate health care and $7,100 for security.