Why does Texas execute so many?
Asked by: Faye Schamberger DVM | Last update: January 30, 2026Score: 5/5 (50 votes)
Texas executes so many people due to a combination of strict, expedited legal procedures that limit appeals, a politically motivated system where elected officials (judges, prosecutors) favor capital punishment, cultural support for the death penalty, and a history of efficient, streamlined processes that move cases to execution faster than in other states, despite concerns about flawed trials and inadequate legal representation.
Does Texas have the highest execution rate?
Texas, which is the second most populous state in the United States, has executed 596 people since the U.S. capital punishment resumption in 1976 (beginning in 1982 with the Brooks execution) to September 25, 2025 (the execution of Blaine Keith Milam)—more than a third of the national total.
Which state executes the most people?
The state of Texas alone conducted 596 executions, over 1/3 of the total; the states of Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma make up over half the total. 17 executions have been conducted by the federal government. Executions increased in frequency until 1999; 98 prisoners were executed that year.
What causes the most deaths in Texas?
The leading causes of death in Texas consistently include Heart Disease, Cancer, and Accidents (Unintentional Injuries), mirroring national trends, with stroke, Alzheimer's, and chronic lower respiratory diseases also among the top killers. Heart disease has been identified as the #1 killer for both men and women in Texas, followed by cancer, and unintentional injuries (like drug poisonings and vehicle crashes) often rank third, especially for younger adults.
What are the top 5 states in terms of execution?
Executions per 100,000 Residents
- Oklahoma. 4,095,393. 127. 101.
- Texas. 31,290,831. 591. 889.
- Missouri. 6,245,466. 101. 617.
- Delaware* 1,051,917. 521.
- Alabama. 5,157,699. 512.
- Virginia* 8,811,195. 113. 282.
- Arkansas. 3,088,354. 003.
- South Carolina. 5,478,831. 821.
Why it takes so long to execute a death row inmate | THV11 Archives
Why did Texas stop last meals?
Texas abolished special last meals for death row inmates in 2011 after inmate Lawrence Russell Brewer ordered a large, extravagant meal and then refused to eat any of it, which angered officials and the public, leading to the decision to serve only the standard prison meal instead. This change was pushed by Senator John Whitmire, who felt it was inappropriate to grant such privileges to convicted murderers, especially after Brewer's disrespectful act.
Why is crime so high in Texas?
Cities such as Houston, Dallas and San Antonio consistently rank among the state's most dangerous cities in terms of crime rates per capita. Factors contributing to these cities' higher crime rates include socioeconomic disparities, gang activity, drug trafficking and a higher population growth rate.
Which gender usually dies first?
Men generally die earlier than women globally, with women having a longer life expectancy in almost all populations due to a combination of biological factors (like genetics and hormonal differences) and behavioral/social factors (such as higher rates of risky behaviors, dangerous occupations, and less engagement with preventive healthcare). In the U.S., men die about 5-6 years sooner, and this pattern holds true in most other countries, with studies showing male mortality higher across many causes of death.
What's the biggest predator in Texas?
The biggest and most formidable land predator still roaming Texas is the Mountain Lion (Cougar/Puma), capable of taking down large prey like deer and livestock, but the truly massive apex predator in Texas waterways is the American Alligator, which can reach over 12 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. While coyotes and bobcats are common, mountain lions and alligators are the state's top predators, with mountain lions in the wildlands and alligators in freshwater systems.
What race is executed the most?
As of January 2022, 796 white people had been executed for killing a white victim, making up 51.69 percent of all 1,540 executions.
Which states don't execute?
Since 2009, seven states — Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Virginia — have legislatively abolished the death penalty, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
What is the average cost of a US execution?
Nationally, the death penalty costs taxpayers an average of $1 million than a life without parole sentence, making it the most expensive part of our criminal justice system on a per offender basis.
Does Texas still use the electric chair?
The State of Texas executed the last inmate, Joseph Johnson (Harris County), by electrocution on July 30, 1964. A total of 361 inmates were electrocuted in the State of Texas.
How long are people on death row?
The average time spent on death row in the U.S. has been increasing, hovering around 19 to 20 years for prisoners executed in recent years (2020-2021), while those currently on death row have spent an average of over 20 years, with some approaching or exceeding 22 years, largely due to lengthy appeals and a growing aging population of inmates.
Can you watch executions in Texas?
Allowing victim witnesses the opportunity to view an execution is a Texas Board of Criminal Justice Rule, and not mandated by law. Is execution viewing limited to immediate family members of the deceased? Initially, victim witnesses were limited to immediate family of the deceased.
What is the #1 killer of men?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men overall in the U.S., followed by cancer, but suicide is the biggest killer for men under 50, highlighting different risks across age groups. For older men, chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer dominate, while younger men face higher risks from accidents (unintentional injuries) and suicide, often linked to mental health challenges.
What age do men peak in life?
A man's prime age varies by definition, but generally spans from the late 20s to 40s, balancing peak physical fitness (20s/early 30s) with increasing career stability, confidence, and earning power (30s/40s). While some see the 20s as the physical peak, many believe true "prime" involves maturity, financial security, and life experience, placing it more in the early to mid-30s (around 30-34), with potential to continue growing into the 40s and beyond through wisdom and experience.
What can shorten your lifespan?
Further lifestyle risk factors that significantly reduce a person's life expectancy include: obesity* (3.1/3.2 years), excessive alcohol consumption** (3.1 years, men only), and a high intake of red meat (2.4 years in women; 1.4 years in men). However, a body mass index lower than 22.5 kg/ m2.
What is the 7 year rule in Texas?
The Texas 7-Year Rule limits background checks by prohibiting consumer reporting agencies from reporting most criminal history (arrests, civil suits, judgments, paid tax liens) older than seven years, but convictions are often an exception, potentially reportable indefinitely, though this is complex. Key exceptions to the 7-year limit for any record include jobs paying over $75,000 annually, certain insurance roles, government jobs, and in-home services, allowing deeper historical searches. The rule aims to give people a second chance, but federal law (FCRA) interacts, and specific roles often bypass these limits.
What is the #1 safest city in Texas?
There isn't one single "number 1" safest city, as rankings vary by source, but Frisco, Keller, and Fair Oaks Ranch consistently appear at the top for low crime, with Frisco often cited for large cities and Fair Oaks Ranch or similar small towns for overall lowest crime in recent reports (2024-2025). SafeWise named San Elizario Texas' safest in 2025, while ReAlpha ranked Keller first by Crime Index, and Ramsey Solutions put Hutto at #1 for 2024.
What part of Texas to stay away from?
When looking for places to avoid in Texas, focus on areas with higher crime rates like parts of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, or specific high-crime cities such as Beaumont, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Waco, Odessa, and Midland, especially after dark or in less-trafficked neighborhoods, while also considering potential natural disasters like flooding and hurricanes in coastal/Houston areas. Major cities have specific high-risk areas, and general safety varies greatly by neighborhood, so always check local advisories.
Do death row inmates get a funeral?
Yes, death row inmates can have funerals, but it depends on family involvement, as the body is typically released to relatives who arrange private services, while unclaimed bodies often receive simple burials in prison cemeteries or public plots at state expense. The inmate's written wishes for burial or cremation are often honored, but if no one claims the body, the state handles disposition, which can mean cremation or an anonymous burial.
What was the weirdest last meal request on death row?
Weirdest death row last meals often involve excessive quantities, bizarre combinations, or symbolic requests, like Lawrence Brewer's huge, uneaten meal that ended the tradition in Texas, Thomas Grasso's complaint about getting spaghetti instead of SpaghettiOs, Peter Miniel's buffet of tacos, burgers, and cakes, John Wayne Gacy's KFC bucket and shrimp, or Victor Fuger's single olive with the pit to sprout a tree. Inmates use these requests for one last indulgence, protest, or to make a statement.
What was Princess Diana's last meal?
Princess Diana's last meal, eaten at the Ritz Paris on August 31, 1997, consisted of Dover sole, vegetable tempura, and a mushroom and asparagus omelet, ordered from the L'Espadon restaurant and delivered to her suite for privacy. This simple, vegetable-focused meal, reflecting her known preferences for lighter fare, was consumed shortly before she departed for her fatal car crash with Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.