THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Method of execution The possible methods of execution are lethal injection, electrocution, the gas chamber, hanging, and shooting. The most common method of execution is lethal injection, which is either the sole method or a possible method of execution in all states except Nebraska, where the sole method of execution is electrocution. STATISTICS Death sentences According to official statistics, 3,557 prisoners were on death row at the end of 2002. According to unofficial statistics, a total of 3,504 prisoners were on death row at the end of 2003 and 3,487 prisoners were on death row as of 1 April 2004.120 Executions 2002 According to official statistics, 71 persons were executed during 2002. Of these, 33 executions were carried out in Texas, seven in Oklahoma, six in Missouri, four in Georgia, four in Virginia, three in Florida, three in South Carolina, three in Ohio, two in Alabama, two in Mississippi, two in North Carolina, one in Louisiana, and one in California. 2003 According to unofficial statistics, 65 persons were executed during 2003. Of these, one was a federal execution, and the remaining 64 were state executions. Twenty-four executions were carried out in Texas, 14 in Oklahoma, seven in North Carolina, three in Ohio, three in Florida, three in Alabama, three in Georgia, two in Indiana, two in Missouri, two in Virginia, and one in Arkansas. 2004 According to unofficial statistics, 31 persons were executed during the first half of 2004. Of these, 10 executions were carried out in Texas, five in Oklahoma, four in Ohio, four in South Carolina, two in Florida, two in Virginia, one in Nevada, and one in Maryland. 120 All unofficial statistics contained in this country entry are from the Death Penalty Information Center, http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org. 39