Death Penalty | Forgive a Killer

Death Penalty Facts

Global Perspective on Death Penalty

The United States shares the distinction of government-sponsored executions with North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, China, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia.

Other countries practicing execution include Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Belarus, and Afghanistan.

On November 17, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted its eighth resolution calling for a global moratorium on executions (Death Penalty Focus).

In 2023, the countries with the highest number of executions were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the USA (Amnesty International).

Death Penalty in the United States

Death Row Inmates

As of July 2024, there are 2,213 inmates on death row in the U.S (Death Penalty Information Center).
The U.S. Military and Federal Government have 46 inmates on death row as of July 1, 2024 (NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund).
As of March 2024, 52 women are on death row (Death Penalty Information Center).

Executions

Since 1976, the U.S. has executed 1,567 people (CNN).
The U.S. Government has executed 16 people since 1988.
In 2023, 23 people were executed in the U.S (CNN).

Legal and Judicial Developments

The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to impose the death penalty for crimes committed under the age of 18.
Between 1976 and 2005, 22 juveniles were executed.
No categorical ban exists on the execution of people with mental illness (Death Penalty Information Center).

Clemency and Exonerations

As of January 2024, 313 death row inmates have been granted clemency since 1976 (CNN).
Since 1973, 196 death row exonerations have occurred (CNN).
At least 200 people wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in the U.S. have been exonerated since 1973 (Death Penalty Information Center).

Disparities and Statistics

2% of U.S. counties have produced a majority of both executions (52%) and death row prisoners (56%) since 1976 (ACLU).
76% of executions since 1976 were for killing at least one white victim (ACLU).

Impact of the Death Penalty on Crime Rates

States without the death penalty (e.g., New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey) have lower homicide rates (2.3 to 4.2 per 100,000) compared to states with the death penalty (e.g., Louisiana, Alabama, Texas) with higher rates (6.6 to 15.8 per 100,000).
Illinois, which has no death penalty, is an exception with a homicide rate of 9.1 per 100,000.
The data suggests that the death penalty does not reduce homicide rates.

States Allowing the Death Penalty

As of October 2024, 27 states currently allow the death penalty.

States Abolishing or Not Using the Death Penalty

29 states have abolished the death penalty or have not executed anyone in at least a decade (Death Penalty Information Center).