In Alabama, the death penalty is a curious exception to concerns about government efficiency. When it comes to executing people, a majority of Alabamians appear to trust the government to get it right every time. Lack of transparency in our capital punishment system prompts little public comment. Similarly, on the fiscal side, calls for reducing Alabama’s spending rarely include eliminating costly executions.

This fact sheet looks at Alabama’s death penalty through the lenses of governmental competence, transparency and fiscal responsibility.