HOUSTON - The death penalty in the United States is facing increasing isolation due to a decline in usage and public support, according to a recently released annual report on capital punishment. The report highlights the growing belief among Americans that the death penalty is being administered unfairly, prompting experts to ponder its potential abolition in the future.

The report, released by the Death Penalty Information Center based in Washington, D.C., reveals that in 2023, there were 24 executions in the U.S., with the final one taking place in Oklahoma on Thursday. Furthermore, the report states that 21 people were sentenced to death in 2023, marking the ninth consecutive year with fewer than 30 executions and fewer than 50 death sentences.

The decline in the use of the death penalty is reflected in the limited number of states that conducted executions this year. Only five states - Texas, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama - carried out executions, marking the lowest number in 20 years, according to the report. This trend indicates the growing isolation of the death penalty within the United States.

The annual Gallup poll, conducted in October, revealed that 50% of Americans believe capital punishment is applied unfairly, while 47% think it is fairly implemented. This is the highest number of Americans expressing concerns about the fairness of the death penalty since Gallup first began asking about it in 2000.

Experts suggest that recent events, such as the 2020 killing of George Floyd, have led to increased skepticism towards the U.S. criminal justice system. Additionally, the report highlights the impact of nearly 200 death row exonerations since 1975, including three in 2023, in influencing public opinion against the death penalty.

Although some states have shown openness to reevaluating their stance on capital punishment, certain states like Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas remain strongly supportive of the death penalty. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for instance, signed two new death penalty laws earlier this year, demonstrating the state's commitment to this form of punishment.

However, the report also emphasizes the challenges faced by states in obtaining execution drugs, which has led some to consider alternative methods of execution. Alabama has scheduled an execution by nitrogen gas for January 2024, while Idaho recently authorized executions by firing squad.

Despite the declining use and support of the death penalty, experts remain uncertain about its complete abolition in the foreseeable future. "There are some scholars who are optimistic the death penalty will be totally eradicated pretty soon," said Eric Berger, a law professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "But I think it's more likely that it's going to continue to decline."

The report highlights that a majority of states, 29 in total, have either abolished the death penalty or put a pause on executions. However, experts assert that a nationwide ban would require action from the U.S. Supreme Court, an outcome that seems unlikely based on recent court decisions.

In Texas, the state with the highest number of capital punishment cases, even there, there are signs of potential change. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in the Texas House that aimed to eliminate the death penalty in cases involving individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Although the bill did not succeed, it demonstrates a willingness to reconsider certain aspects of capital punishment.

Overall, while the death penalty in the United States faces growing isolation, the complete abolition of capital punishment remains uncertain. The declining use and evolving public opinion signal a potential shift in the future, but significant changes or a nationwide ban will require further deliberation and court decisions.