Gallup Poll: Increasing Number of Americans Favor Life Without Parole

A May 2006 Gallup Poll found that when given a choice between the sentencing options of life without parole and the death penalty, only 47% of respondents chose the death penalty, the lowest percentage in two decades. 48% favored life without parole for those convicted of murder.

When asked whether the death penalty deters murder, 64% of those polled stated that it does not and only 34%  believe it does deter. 63% of those polled believe that an innocent person has been executed in the past 5 years, an increase over previous results. More. . . [Mark Godsey]