The death penalty is one of the most hotly debated topics in American politics. Supporters of the practice claim that capital punishment provides justice to people who have committed the most heinous crimes and makes violent criminals think twice about committing murder and rape. Opponents say that it is an inhumane and costly practice, and issuing a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole is an effective alternative to the death penalty.

When did it become legal

Despite the fact that the death penalty has long been part of America’s justice system (the first recorded execution of a colonist happened in 1608), our most reliable data about the practice starts in 1976, when it was made legal after being briefly banned nationwide. Since then (as of August 1, 2013) 1342 people have been executed in the United States, with the majority of executions taking place in Texas.

Lethal injection is the most common method of execution at most facilities, but more gruesome ways to be put to death are not entirely out of practice. In 1996, Billy Bailey became the most recent convict to be executed by means of hanging. The firing squad has been used as recently as 2010, when twice-convicted killer, Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Utah.

This infographic has the most current data on the state of the death penalty in the U.S. Please share so more people will be empowered with the facts on execution in America.

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