Frequently Asked Questions
In order to form a quality opinion concerning the death penalty, one should understand some of the basics. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. Hopefully this will clear up any questions that anyone might have about the death penalty. If this page does not answer your question, or you have additional questions, please use the "Contact Me" page and send me your question.
Q. How many states currently have the death penalty?A. 35 States currently utilize capital punishment (Capital Punishment)
Q. How many people are on death row?
A.As of July 1, 2009, there were 3,279 inmates on death row in the United States. The top three states were California with 690 inmates on death row, Florida with 403, and Texas with 342. From January 1, 1977, to February 4, 2010, 1,194 inmates were executed by 33 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Capital Punishment)
Q. How expensive is the death penalty? Is it cheaper or more expensive than life without parole?
A. According to the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, in California they estimate the annual costs of capital punishment to be $137 million per year (Cost of the Death Penalty). According to the same commission, if California were to have abolished the death penalty, they would have just spent $11.5 million on these prisoners (Cost of the Death Penalty). Please see the "Why it is Wrong" page for more detailed information.
Q. What crimes warrant the death penalty?
A. Treason, aggravated kidnapping, drug trafficking, aircraft hijacking, espionage, aggravated assault, and rape in certain states (Capital Punishment).
Q. What other countries currently have the death penalty?
A. Along with the United States, 42 other countries that participate in the United Nations currently use capital punishment. Among those countries are Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, and Pakistan (Capital Punishment).
Q. How many states currently have the death penalty?A. 35 States currently utilize capital punishment (Capital Punishment)
Q. How many people are on death row?
A.As of July 1, 2009, there were 3,279 inmates on death row in the United States. The top three states were California with 690 inmates on death row, Florida with 403, and Texas with 342. From January 1, 1977, to February 4, 2010, 1,194 inmates were executed by 33 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Capital Punishment)
Q. How expensive is the death penalty? Is it cheaper or more expensive than life without parole?
A. According to the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, in California they estimate the annual costs of capital punishment to be $137 million per year (Cost of the Death Penalty). According to the same commission, if California were to have abolished the death penalty, they would have just spent $11.5 million on these prisoners (Cost of the Death Penalty). Please see the "Why it is Wrong" page for more detailed information.
Q. What crimes warrant the death penalty?
A. Treason, aggravated kidnapping, drug trafficking, aircraft hijacking, espionage, aggravated assault, and rape in certain states (Capital Punishment).
Q. What other countries currently have the death penalty?
A. Along with the United States, 42 other countries that participate in the United Nations currently use capital punishment. Among those countries are Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, and Pakistan (Capital Punishment).