Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the death penalty deter crime?
   Studies consistently show no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than life imprisonment. Most criminologists agree that certainty of punishment, not severity, is the key deterrent.

2. Is the death penalty cheaper than life imprisonment?
   No. Multiple studies show that death penalty cases cost significantly more than life without parole due to lengthy trials, appeals, and higher incarceration costs.

3. What if someone deserves to die for their crime?
   While many crimes are horrific, abolitionists argue that the state should not mirror violence with violence. Life imprisonment without parole keeps society safe without taking another life.

4. Can we fix the system to avoid wrongful convictions?
   Even with reforms, human error, bias, and misconduct cannot be completely eliminated. Over 190 people have been exonerated from death row in the U.S., proving the risk is real.

5. Doesn’t the death penalty bring closure to victims’ families?
   Many families say the long process of appeals prolongs their grief. Restorative justice and support services are often more effective paths to healing.

6. Is the death penalty applied fairly?
   No. Race, geography, and the quality of legal representation all heavily influence who is sentenced to death. It is widely seen as arbitrary and discriminatory.

7. Do other democracies still use the death penalty?
   Almost none. The U.S. is the only Western democracy that continues to execute its citizens, putting it out of step with global human rights norms.

8. What methods are used in executions?
   Lethal injection is most common, but some states have authorized firing squads, electrocution, gas chambers, and nitrogen hypoxia in recent years.

9. What role does race play in the death penalty?
   Race of the victim and defendant significantly impact sentencing. Defendants accused of killing white victims are far more likely to receive death sentences than those accused of killing Black victims.

10. What happens to death row inmates if the death penalty is abolished?
    Usually, sentences are commuted to life without parole. States often pass legislation to convert death sentences during abolition.

11. Is there a religious argument against the death penalty?
    Yes. Many faith traditions, including Catholic, mainline Protestant, Jewish, and Buddhist communities, have officially condemned capital punishment as incompatible with human dignity.

12. How can I get involved in ending the death penalty?
    You can contact your legislators, support local abolition groups, attend vigils, share information on social media, and advocate for policy change in your state.