How the

Death
Penalty

really works

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Today, nearly 3,000 people sit on death row in the United States.1

Some common

myths

about the death penalty...

It's cheaper.

A death penalty case costs many times more than the cost of maximum-security imprisonment for life.2 3

Average cost of a death penalty case in Texas:4

Texas 40ab2f84c6acdaffb376e926a9209bc383783ba1a6de6fa12e30e5a0fa009c6c

Total cost of death penalty cases in California since 1978:5

California 8a9b020015b09ffdd67a10df069ef3acdc59d2f2e0179dc572085dbf9b5085ba

It deters murder.

Murder rates are actually 28% higher in death penalty states.6

88% of expert criminologists agree that executions do not lower homicide rates.7

innocent, but dead.

Over two dozen people executed by the death penalty are now believed to have been innocent.8

Another 150+ people were "near misses" — exonerated after spending an average of 11 years on death row.9

Face1 99ab3698688a8abbf0c41750390ebf010fdf1732d262215f564dbbac9c599ff3

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RACISM

IS RAMPANT

One study found that jurors are

more likely to recommend a death sentence for a black defendant than for a white defendant in a similar case11

Cases with white victims are significantly more likely to face death penalty charges. Why?

A study in Georgia found the following disparity:10

Race of victims in all eligible homicide cases

Race of victims in cases that ended in death penalty

It's highly unusual for a democratic society to have such a violent policy.

Most executions, by country (2015):12

#1		China
#2		Iran
#3		Pakistan
#4		Saudi Arabia
#5		United States

For the past decade, a majority of Americans have prefered other punishments for murder, such as life without parole.13

what can you do to help?

Spread the word!

California, vote in November!

Do you live in California? This year, you have the opportunity to get rid of the death penalty in your state.

Vote Yes on 62 and No on 66.

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How the

DeathPenalty

really works

It's cheaper.

A death penalty case costs many times more than the cost of maximum-security imprisonment for life.2 3

It deters murder.

Murder rates are actually 28% higher in death penalty states.6

Over two dozen people executed by the death penalty are now believed to have been innocent.8

Another 150+ people were "near misses" — exonerated after spending an average of 11 years on death row.9

One study found that jurors are

more likely to recommend a death sentence for a black defendant than for a white defendant in a similar case11

Cases with white victims are significantly more likely to face death penalty charges. Why?

A study in Georgia found the following disparity:10

It's highly unusual for a democratic society to have such a violent policy.

Most executions, by country (2015):12

For the past decade, a majority of Americans have prefered other punishments for murder, such as life without parole.13

what can you do to help?

Spread the word!

California, vote in November!

Get updates!

Stay in the loop!

Death
Penalty