Arkansas
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, Arkansas has executed a total of 27 people since 1976.
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R) supports the death penalty.
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
There are currently 39 prisoners on Death Row in Arkansas. Of the 39 Death Row prisoners, 23 are black, 16 are white, and 1 is Latino.
A bill was introduced in the State Legislature in 2003 by Rep. Jim Lendall to impose a moratorium on the death penalty and to create a study commission—this bill died in committee in April 2003.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
There is no Innocence Project devoted strictly to cases in this state. However, The Innocence Project at Cardozo School of Law in New York City does handle some non-New York cases.
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
To date, no prisoner on Death Row has been found innocent in Arkansas.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (contact David Rickard at drickard@aristotle.net)
Additional Resources
Arkansas State Info at DPIC
Arkansas State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
US 'Whittling Away at Death Penalty'
March 03, 2005
From the BBC: Legal experts say that the US Supreme Court's decision to prevent youths...
Democracy Now Segment About The Death Penalty
March 02, 2005
Today you can see a segment of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman about the landmark...
Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juvenile Killers
March 01, 2005
In a huge move, The Supreme Court forbid the execution of minors (under 17) at...
Study Finds Innocence Issue Leads to Lower Death Penalty Support
February 22, 2005
Makes sense to me. Three-quarters of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed...
Bush Calls for Death Penalty Lawyer Training
February 04, 2005
I realize this is a slow response to the State of the Union, (two days...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
More on Developmental Disabilities and the Death Penalty
September 29, 2004
An Arkansas man, Rickey Dale Newman was scheduled for execution last night. His death was...
