Pew Research Center Releases National Survey on Death Penalty Support

According to a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center, 62% favor the death penalty for murderers while 31% oppose it. Since the center began its survey in the mid-1990s, the highest support for the death penalty nationally was 78% in 1996. Support declined to 62% in 2005 and has remained near this level since (apparently dropping to 58% in October 2011).

Citing surveys conducted beginning in 1936 by Gallup, the report states that 1966 saw the all-time low in death penalty support. It was also the only year that more people opposed the death penalty (47%) than supported it (42%). Gallup’s surveys show support growing in the 1970s and 1980s and peaking in the mid-1990’s.

The report also breaks down its survey data by demographics and examines why people support or oppose the death penalty.