09 November 2010 :

Poll Shows Majority Of Americans Continue To Support The Death Penalty. A majority of Americans continue to support the use of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, according to the results of Gallup's annual Crime Survey released today, with nearly half saying that it is not imposed often enough. The survey found that 64 % of Americans are in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder compared to 29 % that are opposed. The numbers are nearly unchanged from last year, when 65 % supported the death penalty and 31 % were opposed. Gallup noted that the numbers continue a trend that has shown little change over the last 7 years. While support for death penalty has shown little change in the past decade, however, it is down from the high of 80 % seen in 1994. When asked to choose whether the death penalty or life imprisonment with no possibility of parole is the better option, Americans are more split. 49 % said the death penalty is the better penalty for murder, while 46 % said life imprisonment is the better penalty. The survey also found that 49 % of Americans think that the death penalty is not imposed often enough, while 26 % said it is imposed "about the right amount" and 18 % said it imposed "too often." Gallup noted that these attitudes are little changed since 2002. Men, whites, and Republicans are among the most likely to support the death penalty, Gallup said, although majorities of women, non-whites, and Democrats also approve.