Louisiana Public Square
Survey Results

Capital Punishment in Louisiana

LSU

Among those in our studio audience, there was not much movement in attitudes regarding capital punishment. The number who opposed the death penalty increased, but, for the most part, our audience seems to have come away from their discussion with more – rather than less – confidence in the system as it currently exists.

 

Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of murder?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Favor
33.3
33.3
Oppose
33.3
66.7
Don't know / Not available
33.3
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



In your opinion, is the death penalty imposed too often, about the right amount, or not often enough?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Too often
33.3
50.0
About the right amount
0.0
50.0
Not often enough
16.7
0.0
Don't know / Not available
50.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Generally speaking, do you believe the death penalty is applied fairly or unfairly in Louisiana today?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Fairly
33.3
66.7
Unfairly
33.3
33.3
Don't know / Not available
33.3
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Do you think that innocent people are sometimes convicted of murder, or would you say this never happens?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Sometimes happens
100.0
100.0
Never happens
0.0
0.0
Don't know / Not available
0.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Do you feel that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to the commitment of murder -- that it lowers the murder rate -- or not?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Deterrent
33.3
33.3
Not a deterrent
66.7
66.7
Don't know / Not available
0.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Some people say there should be a halt in all executions in this country while a commission studies whether the death penalty has or has not been administered fairly. Others say there already are enough safeguards to prevent unfair or mistaken executions. What do you think? Would you support or oppose a halt in executions while this issue is studied?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Support a halt
83.3
66.7
Oppose a halt
16.7
33.3
Don't know / Not available
0.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



In general, do you think that death row inmates are given too much help and opportunity to appeal their cases and try to prove their innocence, or are inmates not given sufficient help and opportunity to appeal their cases and prove their innocence?

 

chart

% Before
% After
Given too much help
66.7
50.0
Not given enough help
16.7
50.0
Don't know / Not available
16.7
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
 

chart

 
% Before
% After
Few Big Interests
83.3
66.7
Benefit of All
16.7
33.3
Don't Know / Not Available
0.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do -- a good deal, some, or not much?

 

chart

 
% Before
% After
Good Deal
0.0
0.0
Some
50.0
66.7
Not Much
50.0
33.3
Don't Know / Not Available
0.0
0.0
Refused
0.0
0.0



Participate in this month's survey!Send us your comments about the show or questions for Governor Blanco!

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