In 2002 almost 13,000 adults were arrested for murder. That year, 8,990 persons were convicted of murder, and 8,181 murderers received a prison sentence.
The mean prison sentence for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
was 18 years and 9 months; the median was 20 years.
Life sentences are rare among convicted felons, whether measured as a percentage of all sentences (0.5%) or as a percentage of prison sentences (1.1%). However, among the 8,990 persons convicted of murder or non-negligent manslaughter, 24.1% were sentenced to life in prison.
The stats and cite for the repeat murders:
Within 3 years of release, 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for a new homicide.
Now for the numbers:
8,990 - persons convicted of murder
2,166 - will receive life sentences (24.1% of total)
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6824 - will eventually be released
X 1.2% statistically we know will kill again
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82 (approximately) additional murders will be committed by these people. 82 human beings guilty of being in the path of a killer we as a society unleashed back into our midst instead of dealing with them appropriately.
http://www.ojp.gov/bjs/pub/ascii/fssc02.txt
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm
I'm not advocating the death penalty for non-negligent manslaughter.