Facts
Death sentences and executions are in decline:
In 2023, for the fourth time since 2016, only five states conducted executions and only seven states imposed new death sentences - a near historic low of just 21 new death sentences.
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Most states—37 out of 50—have either abolished the death penalty or have not carried out an execution in at least 10 years
Isn't it time to do away with this outdated and unjust practice?
The statistics tell the story:
Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, 200 people from 30 states have been exonerated and freed from death row.
On average, an exonerated death row survivor spends 11.5 years behind bars for crimes they did not commit.
For every eight prisoners executed, one innocent person was condemned to die and later exonerated.
At least 4.1 percent of defendants sentenced to death in the United States are innocent.
How many other innocent people still await execution or have already been killed?