Executions are rare in many states

Executions are rare in many states that allow capital punishment

Nebraska this week carried out its first execution since 1997. Prior to the execution, the state was among 11 nationally — along with the federal government and the U.S. military — that have capital punishment on the books but hadn’t used it at least a decade. Overall, 31 states, the federal government and the U.S. military authorize the death penalty, while 19 states and the District of Columbia do not, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, an information clearinghouse that has been critical of capital punishment.