How Do Americans Feel About The Death Penalty?

FINAL SENTENCE HOW D O AMERICAN S FEEL ABOUT THE Since 1973, more than 138 death row inmates in the United States have been exonerated after new evidence proved them innocent. But 34 states continue to sentence people to death, and the total number of executions DE AΤΗ ΡΕΝAL ΤΥP nationwide has only recently started to level off. Gallup polled the American public to explore changing opinions on capital punishment. MOST STILL SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY Sixty-four percent of Americans favor capital punishment in murder cases. Support has declined from 77 percent since 1995-mostly because of the increased use of DNA evidence-but has held roughly steady for the past 10 years. ARE YOU IN FAVvOR OF THE DEATH PENALTY NOT ENOUGH? FOR A PERSON CONVICTED OF MURDER? NEARLY HALF SAY IT SHOULD BE USED MORE DEATH PENALTY VERSUS LIFE IMPRISONMENT 49% IF YOU COULD CHOOSE BETWEEN THE DEATH PENALTY OR RIGHT AMOUNT? YES NO NO OPINION IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE AS A PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? TOO OFTEN? DEATH PENALTY IMPOSED. 26% 18% NO OPINION? DEATH LIFE 7% Percent of respondents 777. MORE BELIEVE THAT IT'S BEING APPLIED FAIRLY 67% 647 647 DO YOU THINK THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS BEING APPLIED FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY IN THE U.S.? 2000 2005 2010 30% 297. 287. YES 7% 137 107. NO OPINION 57% 67. 35% NO 41% 51% 36% 58% 61% 2000 2005 2010 1995 Percent of respondents Percent of respordents Americans are split on whether they support life in prison or the death penalty for convicted murderers. A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOOD AND COLUMN FIVE SOURCES: THE DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER | Www.NEWYORKER.COM | Www.GALLUP.COM | WwW.LATIMES.COM | ALARCON, ARTHUR L: MITCHELL PAULA M. "EXECUTING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS: A ROADMAP TO MEND OR END THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR DEATH PENALTY DEBACLE."