The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) released its annual report Monday, finding that, while the number of executions in the US increased last year, the number of new death sentences decreased. The following is an overview of the report’s key findings.
Death Sentences Decline, Executions Rise
The report drew a contrast between new death sentences and number of executions, with the former totaling 22 and the latter 48. The executive director of the DPIC, Robin Maher, commented that this suggests “new death sentences are becoming vanishingly rare.”
Executions Concentrated in a Few States
Four states—Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Texas—imposed the majority of death penalty sentences (72 percent). Florida enacted by far the most, increasing from one execution in 2024 to 19 in 2025, which made up over a third of executions overall.
The death penalty is legal in 27 states in total.
Public Opinion Increasingly Against the Death Penalty
Polling demonstrates that support for the death penalty is at an all-time low, with 52 percent being in favor. This figure is lower amongst those under 55. A shift in public opinion is also suggested by the actions of capital juries, with 56 percent proposing a life sentence over a death sentence when given the choice (from a study of over 50 juries.)
Controversial Execution Methods Still in Use
The report found that nitrogen gas was used as an execution method in both Alabama and Louisiana this year. Jesse Hoffman’s execution marked the first execution in 15 years in Louisiana. In Alabama, Anthony Boyd‘s October execution provoked a strong dissent to the Supreme Court’s rejected stay of execution, stating that the use of nitrogen gas violates the 8th amendment on cruel and unusual punishment. The execution ultimately lasted almost 40 minutes.
South Carolina still implements execution by firing squad, which, while often considered preferable to nitrogen gas, has still evoked criticism. The case of Mikal Mahdi in April drew concern after a firing squad failed to strike his heart.
More Political Intervention, Less Legal Oversight
The report suggested that politicians are out of step with public opinion, pointing to the inordinately high number of executions ordered by Florida Governor DeSantis in particular. Numerous lawmakers have however supported vacating the death penalty in certain cases, such as Richard Glossip and Robert Roberson.
No requests to stay execution were granted by the Supreme Court, suggesting a less active judicial role.
The DPIC is a non-profit organization that compiles and analyzes data on capital punishment. This research influences policy decisions and creates informed public debate. The organization does not take a stance on the death penalty itself but rather issues in its implementation, in particular concerning “arbitrariness, costs, innocence, and racial disparities.”
