( CNN ) -- Maryland 's governor signed a bill Thursday repealing the death penalty . The legislation goes into effect October 1 . In those cases in which the state has filed a notice to seek a death sentence , `` the notice shall be considered withdrawn and it shall be considered a notice to seek a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under specified circumstances , '' according to a press release from the office of Gov . Martin O'Malley . O'Malley 's office said Maryland is the 18th state to repeal the death penalty , . `` Maryland has effectively eliminated a policy that is proven not to work . Evidence shows that the death penalty is not a deterrent , it can not be administered without racial bias , and it costs three times as much as life in prison without parole , '' the office said in a statement . `` Furthermore , there is no way to reverse a mistake if an innocent person is put to death . Working together with law enforcement partners , Maryland has driven down violent crime and homicides to three decade lows . '' Five men currently are on Maryland 's death row , and O'Malley so far has not commuted their sentences .
There are three men currently on Maryland 's death row . The governor signs a bill ending the death penalty in Maryland . The state instead will seek sentences of death without possibility of parole .