Executions in America.

Since 1930, more than 4,800 people have been executed in the United States, according to data from the Department of Justice. Today, 38 states have the death penalty on the books, but they vary widely in how often they actually carry out executions.

Since 1976, about 82 percent of all executions have been carried out in the South; about 11 percent in the Midwest about 6 percent in the West; and the remaining percentage in the Northeast.

The bar graph on this page shows the number of executions in the 20 states with the most executions between 1930 and 2005 (through mid-January).

The pie graph shows the percentage of Americans who supported or opposed the death penalty in a 2004 public opinion poll.

Use the data in the graphs to answer the questions below.

States With the Most Executions, 1930-2005

1. The total, number of executions in the
states shown is about what percentage of
art executions imposed since 19307

a 40 percent              c 60 percent

b 50 percent              d more than 80 percent

2. North Carolina has imposed the death penalty
five times as often as Arizona, a state not
shown on the graph. About how many times
has Arizona imposed the death penalty?

a 90                      c 60

b 80                      d between 65 and 70

3. In one state, 33? executions have been imposed
since 1976, about 53 percent of its total number
of executions. Identify the state.

4. Ohio and Virginia have each imposed the death
penalty about twice as often as

5. South Carolina has imposed the death penalty
nearly one half as often as

6. Those who support the death penalty, as well
as those who oppose it, might use the data in
these graphs to help argue their positions.
Refer to the graphs in an argument supporting
or opposing the death penalty.

Support Death Penalty               50%

Favor Life in Prison No Parole      46%

No Opinion                           4%

SOURCE: GALLUP ORGANIZATION

Note: Table made from pie chart.

Answer Key

1. (d) more than 80 percent 2. (c) 60 3. Texas 4. Tennessee. 5. Georgia. 6. Answers will vary, but a pro-death penalty argument might cite the numbers as a deterrent to potential killers. An anti-death penalty argument might be that there is a probability that there were innocent people among the more than 4,800 people who were executed. Both sides could use the pie graph to argue that huge numbers of Americans agree with them.