Immature Minds in a ​“Maturing Society”: Roper v. Simmons at 20 Read Now
DPI Reports Read Now
Fact Sheet Download
Upcoming Executions Read Now
State by State Read Now

Latest News

DPI Reports July 7, 2025 Mid-Year Review 2025: New Death Sentences Remain Low Amidst Increase in Executions
Explore all news

DPI is a national non-profit organization providing news, data, and facts about the death penalty.

With over 20 special reports on issues including innocence, race, arbitrariness, and costs, DPI’s work has informed and shaped the national discussion on this critical issue.

About DPI

Explore our databases

Innocence Database Since 1973, at least 200 people wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in the U.S. have been exonerated.
Execution Database 1632 men and women have been executed in the United States since the 1970s
Death Penalty Census The Census currently lists more than 9923 sentences imposed between 1972 and January 1, 2025.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Explore the issues we report on

Recent Legislative Activity Read Now
Innocence Read Now
Costs Read Now
Methods of Execution Read Now
Executions

12:01 The Death Penalty in Context: Journalists Reflect on the Challenges and Importance of Media Reporting on the Death Penalty

In this month’s pod­cast episode of 12:01 The Death Penalty in Context, DPI’s Managing Director Anne Holsinger speaks with Sam Levin, a cor­re­spon­dent...

Read Full Transcript Download
 Journalists Reflect on the Challenges and Importance of Media Reporting on the Death Penalty

Featured Research & Reports

Innocence June 27, 2025 U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Texas Death Row Prisoner Seeking DNA Testing Costs June 16, 2025 Governor Says Indiana Will Not Purchase More Lethal Injection Drugs, Invites Debate over Death Penalty Representation June 11, 2025 Anthony Wainwright, Executed June 10 in Florida, Lost Federal Appeals Due to Lawyers’ Mistakes and Indifference and Was Denied Counsel of His Choice Innocence June 10, 2025 Oklahoma Attorney General Will Not Seek Death Penalty Against Richard Glossip in Retrial Intellectual Disability June 4, 2025 2025 Roundup of Death Penalty Related Legislation In-Depth Reports April 30, 2025 Immature Minds in a "Maturing Society": Roper v. Simmons at 20 Year-End Reports December 19, 2024 The Death Penalty in 2024 Racial Justice Reports November 14, 2024 Fool's Gold: How the Federal Death Penalty Has Perpetuated Racially Discriminatory Practices Throughout History

How can you help?

Donate! Your contribution allows us to

  • Monitor and track death-penalty developments across the US
  • Increase outreach to the public
  • Expand the information we make available
  • Produce DPI’s widely acclaimed reports
  • Develop and promote our educational curricula
Donate