How many states have capital punishment?

** In April 2012, the Connecticut legislature voted to abolish the death penalty for future crimes. By its terms, the repeal law did not affect the status of the 11 prisoners then on the state's death row. read more

Capital punishment is currently authorized in 31 states, by the federal government and the U.S. military. In recent years several states have abolished the death penalty, replacing it with a sentence of life imprisonment with no possibility for parole. read more

States that have abolished the death penalty. 19 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Below is a table of the 19 states and the date that the state abolished the death penalty. read more