Execute Justice.
Not People.

Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona (DPAA) is a statewide grassroots organization working to educate the public on issues related to the death penalty and the inequities of the criminal justice system.

Current information about the Death Penalty in Arizona

Arizona is one of 27 states still practicing the death penalty.

In 2022, after a nearly 8-year hiatus following the mishandled and botched execution of Joseph Wood in 2014, Arizona resumed executions on May 11th, 2022. Three executions took place in 2022: Clarence Dixon, May 11th, Frank Atwood, June 8th, Murray Hooper, November 16th.

Racial Bias & Death Penalty Outcomes

In the United States, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) have accounted for a disproportionate 43 % of total executions since 1976 and 55 % of those currently awaiting execution.

In Arizona, 44.6% of all documented executions between 1910-2022 have been from BIPOC communities despite representing much smaller populations than the majority Caucasian population.

Death Row Racial Composition

*Data Sourced: AZ Department of Corrections - Death Row Population 5 July 2023

Arizona Death Racial Demographics
V. Arizona State Population

*Data Sources: AZ Department of Corrections - Death Row Population 5 July 2023, United States Census Bureau 2022 Statistics

There are currently 112 prisoners on death row (as of 10/8/23), with more than 20 exhausting their appeals. Since 1910, Arizona has executed 102 people. As of February 24th, 2023, the execution protocol is under review in Arizona. Governor Hobbs issued an Executive Order to create an independent commissioner to review the death penalty protocol and procedures. Judge David Duncan was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs.

Governor Hobbs said: “A comprehensive and independent review must be conducted to ensure these problems are not repeated in future executions. I’m more than confident that Judge Duncan has the expertise and ability to take on this crucial role.”

Take an in-depth look at the death penalty in Arizona and watch:

Watch Eye For An Eye:
The Death Penalty in Arizona

FREE TO WATCH

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Death penalty abolition is a movement of millions nationwide. Whether you are comfortable contributing time to help achieve our advocacy goals, donating to help us grow, or applying political pressure on policymakers to change the archaic and cruel practice of retributive punishment, we need you on our team!

Find out more ways to get involved and join our work to abolish the death penalty in Arizona.

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“I realize that I cannot stand by silently as my government executes its citizens. If I do not speak out and resist, I am an accomplice.”
― Sister Helen Prejean