A November 2011 survey finds continued majority support for the death penalty in the U.S. Compared with 20 years ago, however, there is more concern today among death penalty opponents about flaws in the justice system and the possibility that innocent people could be put to death.
Read more on the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press website.
In this research package
An Impassioned Debate An overview of the death penalty in America.
The Death Penalty and the Supreme Court An analysis of the arguments before the Supreme Court in Baze v. Rees.
Public Opinion on the Death Penalty Americans continue to support the death penalty.
Religious Groups’ Official Positions on the Death Penalty A breakdown of 16 major religious groups’ views on the death penalty.
Death Penalty Timeline A timeline of important court cases and legal milestones since 1972.