2008 - Death Penalty In Review

Here is a link to a really concise report from the Death Penalty Information Centre.

It shows the consistent trend away from the death penalty, with death row numbers and executions lowered across all States.

It also highlights the economic and social problems the death penalty creates, with taxpayers money being spent on housing death row inmates for over 12 years. With too little money being provided for indigent defendants, some courts have refused to hand down the death penalty until the legislature invests more money in the system.

The death penalty in America is on the verge of collapse, but this could spell even greater disaster for those on death row, as the system has the potential to shut down completely, or become even more draconian in the face of a financial crisis.

Enjoy reading and Happy New Year!