Death Penalty

10 facts about the death penalty in the U.S.

Here’s a closer look at public opinion on the death penalty, as well as key facts about the nation’s use of capital punishment.

Unlike other U.S. religious groups, most atheists and agnostics oppose the death penalty

Roughly two-thirds of atheists (65%) and six-in-ten agnostics (57%) either “strongly” or “somewhat” oppose the death penalty.

Death penalty draws more Americans’ support online than in telephone surveys

The difference in support for the death penalty by survey mode has important consequences for understanding trends on the issue.

Most Americans Favor the Death Penalty Despite Concerns About Its Administration

Nearly eight-in-ten U.S. adults (78%) say there is some risk an innocent person will be put to death, and 63% say the death penalty does not deter people from committing serious crimes.

Trump used his clemency power sparingly despite a raft of late pardons and commutations

Only two other presidents since 1900 – George W. and George H.W. Bush – granted fewer acts of clemency than Trump.

California is one of 11 states that have the death penalty but haven’t used it in more than a decade

More than a third of the states that allow executions haven’t carried one out in at least 10 years or, in some cases, much longer.

Where the public stands on key issues that could come before the Supreme Court

Ahead of the Senate’s deliberations over Kavanaugh, here’s a look at where the public stands on some of the major legal, political and social issues that could come before the Supreme Court in the years ahead.

U.S. ends year with fewest executions since 1991

Just five states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas – accounted for all 20 executions in the U.S. in 2016.

Support for death penalty lowest in more than four decades

The share of Americans who support the death penalty for persons convicted of murder is now at its lowest point in more than four decades.

Some major U.S. religious groups differ from their members on the death penalty

Many large religious groups have taken positions in opposition to the death penalty even though that stance is sometimes at odds with the opinions of their adherents.