Executions nationally at 15-year high as Ohio’s death penalty remains in limbo

COLUMBUS, Ohio — While Ohio has joined a few other states in pausing executions, the number of people put to death nationwide so far this year has hit a 15-year high.

A handful of states have suddenly accelerated the pace of capital punishment. Others are experimenting with new execution methods.

Right now, Ohio, California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania have formal or de facto holds on executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, which has criticized how capital punishment is carried out in practice.

In 23 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the death penalty has been abolished entirely. Twenty-seven states, along with the federal government and U.S. military, still allow for executions, according to the center.

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