---
title: 'DPIC RELEASES 2006 YEAR END REPORT NOTING DECLINE IN USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY'
description: 'DPIC’s 12th annual Year End Report was released on December 14 and reveals a broad decline in the use of the death penalty in the U.S. based on a number…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/dpic-releases-2006-year-end-report-noting-decline-in-use-of-the-death-penalty'
section: news
date: '2006-12-15T00:01:58-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:23:05-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

DPIC's 12th annual **Year End Report** was released on December 14 and reveals a broad decline in the use of the death penalty in the U.S. based on a number of factors: the public now favors life without parole over the death penalty; the number of executions has dropped to the fewest in a decade, in part because of challenges to the lethal injection process; and the annual number of death sentences is now at a 30-year low. The report notes that various states have put a hold on all executions, while others are reviewing problems in the capital punishment system. The report cites a number of new developments, including the challenges posed by the severe mental illness of many on death row, and quotes a series of law enforcement personnel, editorials, and public officials voicing serious concerns about the death penalty.

(Death Penalty Information Center, Dec. 14, 2006). [**Read the 2006 Report**](https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/reports/year-end/2006YearEnd.pdf). Read the [**Press Release**](https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/2006YearEndPR.pdf) accompanying the report. See [**Graphs and Links**](/article.php?&did=2026.) associated with issues in the Report.