Friday, October 14, 2011
Support for capital punishment has weakened among Americans, down to its lowest levels since the Nixon administration.
A new Gallup survey found 61% still approve of using the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. Last year, however, support was at 64%. The new percentage represents the lowest level of support since 1972.
Gallup also reported that only 40% of Americans believe the death penalty is not imposed often enough. The last time this small a percentage felt this way was May 2001.
Respondents increasingly feel the death penalty is not fairly applied. In 2010, 58% said it was—now, only 52% say so, the lowest mark since June 2000.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
In U.S., Support for Death Penalty Falls to 39-Year Low (by Frank Newport, Gallup)
Use of Capital Punishment by Country (Wikipedia)
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