The high cost of the death penalty is the lenghty appeals process. And, in addition the those fees, the inmates on death row are also being "housed" for extended periods of time as well.

If there were a "fast track program" this wouldn't be an issue, but that's due process for ya.

And, let me say this without stating whether I am for or against the death penalty: prisons are called correctional facilities and their goal is supposed to be rehabilitation. That doesn't really jive with the notion of a death penalty.