The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the legal practice of executing individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes.
The death penalty has a long and varied history, and it has been practiced in many different societies throughout the world.
In the United States, the death penalty is still legal in some states, but it is increasingly being abandoned in favor of life imprisonment.
The use of the death penalty is controversial, with proponents arguing that it serves as a deterrent to crime and a way to provide justice for victims and their families, while opponents argue that it is inhumane and has been applied unfairly and disproportionately to certain groups.