Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

•   The goal of any punishment is to deter crime from happening and to punish those who commit crimes. A majority of criminologists do not believe that the death penalty is an effective deterrent to crime.
  • Results from the study mentioned above: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/study-88-criminologists-do-not-believe-death-penalty-effective-deterrent [1] 

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Different states execute in different ways, but by far the most prevelant is lethal injection. Statistics concerning lethal injection, as well as articles on the subject, the drugs used and a state-by-state breakdown can be found here: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/lethal-injection-moratorium-executions-ends-after-supreme-court-decision 

•  

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Use of the death penalty is varied among different states, with states in the Northeast least-likely to employ such a punishment and states in the South most likely to use it. 

• States without the death penalty: Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington D.C.

• States where the dealth penalty is legal: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.

• Murder rate by region, state and nationwide dating back to 1996 can be found here: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/murder-rates-1996-2008 [1] 
  • Methods of execution by state can be found here: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/methods-execution

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

Bibliography    

• [1] Dieter, Richard. "Death Penalty Information Center."

                    http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/getcat.php?cid=3 (Accessed January 5, 2009)