NCJ Number
58382
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
NARRATIVE AND STATISTICS CONCERNING THE NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRISONERS UNDER DEATH SENTENCES IN THE U.S. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1978 ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
STATISTICS GATHERED BY THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS SERVICE SHOW THAT MORE PEOPLE ENTERED THAN LEFT DEATH ROW DURING 1978, A YEAR CHARACTERIZED BY A SUBSTANTIAL TURNOVER OF PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH AND BY CONTINUED JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE PREOCCUPATION WITH CAPTIAL PUNISHMENT LAWS. TWO STATES--FLORIDA AND TEXAS--HELD HALF OF THESE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PRISONERS AND METED OUT MORE THAN A THIRD OF ALL DEATH SENTENCES THAT YEAR. NATIONALLY, THE DEATH SENTENCE WAS LIFTED FOR 148 PERSONS AND WAS IMPOSED FOR 183. THE SOUTH ACCOUNTED FOR 9 OUT OF 10 DEATH ROW PRISONERS. THE INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF DEATH ROW INMATES FROM 1977 TO 1978 BY 35 REPRESENTS A REVERSAL OF DECLINES THAT CAME ABOUT AFTER THE 1972 SUPREME COURT RULING THAT THE GEORGIA STATE DEATH PENALTY WAS ARBITRARILY AND CAPRICIOUSLY IMPOSED. STATISTICAL TABLES ON THE MOVEMENT OF PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH AND THE STATUS OF DEATH PENALTY STATUTES ARE BROKEN DOWN BY REGION AND STATE, FEDERAL AND STATE PRISONS, AND BY SEX OF INMATE. (DAG)