The United States is expected to execute fewer people in 2016 than any year in the past 25 years. So far this year, 19 people have been put to death for their crimes nationwide. That is down from 28 last year, and 98 in 1998. Those numbers come from the Death Penalty Information Center, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. The death penalty is sometimes called the ultimate punishment. The question of whether it should be used as punishment continues to divide Americans. Supporters say that people found guilty of horrible crimes should get the ultimate punishment. They believe the death penalty will act as a deterrent. By deterrent, they mean it might cause a person to decide against killing someone. But opponents argue that a moral society does not put people to death. They say when an innocent person is found guilty of a crime, there is no way to fix the mistake if that person already has been executed. The arguments on both sides can be very emotional.