NCJ Number
27341
Date Published
1975
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PROVIDES DATA ON PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH DURING CALENDAR YEAR 1974 ON A NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND STATE BASIS BOTH FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND THE END.
Abstract
INMATES ARE DIFFERENTIATED BY AGE, SEX, RACE, MARITAL STATUS, LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, LEGAL STATUS AT THE TIME OF ARREST, OFFENSE FOR WHICH SENTENCED; AND DURATION OF STAY ON DEATH ROW. THE REPORT ALSO GIVES DATA ON THE NUMBER OF NEW DEATH SENTENCES METED OUT AND ON THE NUMBER OF SENTENCES DISPOSED OF BY MEANS OTHER THAN EXECUTION. IT INCLUDES INFORMATION SHOWING TRENDS IN EXECUTIONS DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1930 TO 1967, THE YEAR OF THE MOST RECENT EXECUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DATA ON DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE STATUS OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT LAWS DURING 1974. THE REPORT DOCUMENTS A SHARP UPTURN IN THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH--FROM 158 PERSONS AT THE BEGINNING OF 1974 TO 254 PERSONS AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THIS INCREASE, CONTRASTING WITH STEEP DECLINES IN THE DEATH ROW POPULATION RECORDED FOR 1972 AND 1973, RESULTED BOTH FROM A RISE OVER PREVIOUS YEARS IN THE NUMBER OF DEATH PENALTIES IMPOSED AND FROM A DECLINE FROM EARLIER YEARS IN THE PROPORTION OF DEATH ROW INMATES WHO HAD THE PENALTY REMOVED. (SNI ABSTRACT)