Ada, Ohio – May 13, 2026 – A new policy brief released this week by researchers Jessica Swanson, Ph.D., Curtis Ware, and Gabriel Mott provides a comprehensive analysis of Ohio’s ongoing “unofficial moratorium” on executions, highlighting the growing complexities and consequences of the state’s prolonged pause on capital punishment.

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Recent Ohio Death Row Reprieves

The brief, published by the Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) at Ohio Northern University, reveals that Ohio’s last execution occurred in 2018, following Governor Mike DeWine’s 2020 announcement of a halt on executions due to the unavailability of lethal injection drugs. Despite calls from state officials to resume executions using alternative methods, such as nitrogen hypoxia, the moratorium remains in effect, leaving over 100 inmates on death row in a state of uncertainty.

Key Findings:

  • As of May 1, 2026, the average time spent on death row by Ohio inmates is nearly 24 years, with some individuals waiting over four decades for resolution.
  • The frequency of executions in Ohio has sharply declined, with only three executions since 2014.
  • Most death row inmates and executed prisoners originate from the Cleveland area and Hamilton County, though per capita analysis reveals Vinton County as an outlier due to its small population.
  • The appeals process remains lengthy and complex, often prolonging the time inmates spend on death row, especially for those with intellectual disabilities or severe mental illness.

The policy brief also addresses the impact of recent legal reforms, including Ohio’s 2021 ban on executing individuals who were severely mentally ill at the time of their offense, and ongoing challenges in processing claims for relief by inmates with intellectual disabilities.

lead author Dr. Jessica Swanson, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

“Ohio’s unofficial moratorium has deepened the pre-existing condition of lengthy death row occupations and declining executions. Our research underscores the urgent need for policymakers to address the inefficiencies and disparities in the state’s capital punishment system.”

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The full policy brief is available upon request. For more information or to schedule an interview with the authors, please contact Keith F. Durkin, Ph.D., at k-durkin@onu.edu or 419-772-1037.