how much does it cost to house a prisoner for life
Rating Newest Oldest. Best Answer: Quote: Prisons cost taxpayers more than $32 billion a year. Every year that an inmate spends in prison costs $22,000. An individual sentenced to five years for a $300 theft costs the public more than $100,000.The cost of a life term averages $1.5 million.very year that an inmate spends in prison costs $22,000. An individual sentenced to five years for a $300 theft costs the public more than $100,000.