The chart above (and the one below) are from the Pew Research Center, and represent the results of a survey done between April 5th and 11th of a national sample of 5,109 U.S. adults, with a 2.1 point margin of error.
It shows that 56% believe Blacks are more likely to be given the death penalty than Whites, 63% believe the death penalty does NOT deter people from committing serious crimes, and 78% believe there is some risk that an innocent person will be put to death.
One might think that with those beliefs, the country would oppose the death penalty. But they don't. About 6 out of 10 Americans support the death penalty in spite of those shortcomings.I find that both sad and disturbing!
The chart below shows support for the death penalty by race, age, education level, and political belief.
The chart below shows worldwide use of the death penalty:
