State legislators will vote this week on a bill that would end capital punishment in New Jersey.

The state Senate will vote Monday, and the state Assembly will meet Thursday to cast its ballots on the legislation. Democrats expect the bill to pass. Gov. Jon Corzine has also expressed his support for the move.

The decision to abolish the death penalty came after a January report found capital punishment to be more expensive to the state than life sentences and unsuccessful in deterring murder.

New Jersey reinstated the death penalty in 1982, but no execution has been carried out in the Garden State since 1963. There are currently eight men sitting on death row behind bars in New Jersey.