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

Discrimination in Jury Selection May 19, 2025 District Court Judge Calls Kansas Death Penalty Racially Biased, Costly, and Ineffective as a Deterrent
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 1626 men and women have been executed in the United States since the 1970s
Death Penalty Census The Census currently lists more than 9921 sentences imposed between 1972 and January 1, 2025.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Explore the issues we report on

Innocence Read Now
Methods of Execution Read Now
Youth Read Now
Recent Legislative Activity Read Now
Botched Executions

12:01 The Death Penalty in Context: 12:01 The Death Penalty in Context: Author Corinna Barrett Lain on the ​“Untold Story” of Lethal Injection

In this month’s pod­cast episode of *12:01 The Death Penalty in Context*, DPI’s Managing Director Anne Holsinger speaks with Corinna Barrett Lain, the...

Read Full Transcript Download
12:01 The Death Penalty in Context: Author Corinna Barrett Lain on the “Untold Story” of Lethal Injection

Featured Research & Reports

In-Depth Reports April 30, 2025 Immature Minds in a "Maturing Society": Roper v. Simmons at 20 Costs April 8, 2025 Records Request Reveals Indiana Department of Corrections Spent $900,000 for Lethal Injection Drugs Federal Death Penalty April 7, 2025 U.S. Attorney General Directs Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione, Marking First Federal Death Sentence Sought By This Trump Administration Executions March 24, 2025 Four Executions in Three Days Spotlight Constitutional Concerns About Death Penalty Methods of Execution March 4, 2025 South Carolina Preparing for State’s First Firing Squad Execution, Marking First Firing Squad Execution in U.S. in 15 Years 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 In-Depth Reports July 1, 2024 Lethal Election: How the U.S. Electoral Process Increases the Arbitrariness of the Death Penalty

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