Arizona has a complicated relationship with the ultimate price. As of early 2026, there are 107 people sitting on death row in the state, most of them tucked away in the high-security confines of the Eyman Complex in Florence. It's a heavy number. Honestly, when you look at the stats, Arizona consistently ranks among the top ten states in the country for the sheer size of its death row population.
But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the reality of what "waiting" actually looks like in 2026.
The Reality of Death Row Inmates in AZ Today
If you think the death penalty is a fast-moving machine, you’re mistaken. The average time spent waiting for an execution date in Arizona is roughly 18 years. Some people have been there for 40. Basically, you have individuals who entered the system in the 1980s who are still there, aging into their 60s and 70s while the legal gears grind.
Take the case of Richard Djerf. He was executed in October 2025, but his crimes dated back decades. Before him, Aaron Gunches was executed in March 2025. These weren't quick turnarounds. They were the culmination of years of litigation, stays, and political shifts.
The housing is another thing people get wrong. Most male death row inmates in AZ are held in the Browning Unit at ASPC-Eyman. It is a "supermax" style setup. We're talking 23 hours a day in a cell that’s roughly 7 by 12 feet. It's solitary. It's quiet. It's meant to be the most restrictive environment the state can legally provide.
The Lethal Injection vs. Gas Chamber Choice
Here is a weird fact: some inmates can still choose how they die.
Because of Arizona's legal history, anyone who committed their crime before November 23, 1992, has a choice. They can pick lethal injection, which is the current standard, or they can opt for lethal gas.
In 2021, the state actually refurbished its gas chamber. This caused a massive uproar because the chemical used is Zyklon B—the same stuff used in the Holocaust. Despite the backlash, the option remains on the books for about 30 inmates currently on the row. Most, however, end up with lethal injection by default or choice.
The drugs are a constant headache for the state. Arizona currently compounds its own pentobarbital. It has a 90-day shelf life. If the state doesn't use it in time, it expires, and they have to start the expensive, secretive process all over again. This has led to the Attorney General’s office pushing for "predictability" in the scheduling, essentially trying to speed up the window between a warrant and the actual execution to beat the clock on the drugs.
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Who is Actually on Arizona's Death Row?
The demographics are pretty striking. While the majority of the population is Caucasian (around 58 inmates), there is a significant overrepresentation of minorities.
- Caucasian: 58
- Mexican American: 23
- Black: 18
- Native Indian: 4
- Asian: 3
The gender split is even more lopsided. There are currently only 3 women on death row in Arizona. They aren't in Florence; they’re held at the Perryville complex in Goodyear. It's a much smaller, though no less scrutinized, group.
The Cost of a Capital Case
You’ve probably heard that the death penalty is cheaper than life in prison. That's a total myth.
In Arizona, a capital case costs significantly more than a "life without parole" case. Why? Because the legal requirements for a death sentence are massive. There are more experts, more investigators, and a much longer jury selection process. Then come the appeals. The state pays for the prosecution and, often, the defense, plus the specialized housing for decades.
The Politics of the Needle
Governor Katie Hobbs initially paused executions when she took office in 2023. She wanted an independent review. She appointed a retired judge to look into the "transparency and safety" of the process.
But things changed in late 2024.
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After a series of legal pressures and political shifts, the pause was lifted. Executions resumed in 2025 with Gunches and Djerf. Right now, there is a push in the legislature to even consider the firing squad as a backup method, similar to what Idaho and South Carolina have discussed. It's a move born out of frustration over the difficulty of getting lethal injection drugs.
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people think death row is a place of constant activity. It's not. It's a place of profound boredom and routine. Inmates get three meals a day, limited exercise time in a concrete "yard," and very little contact with the outside world.
There’s also the issue of "volunteers."
Inmates like Aaron Gunches sometimes waive their appeals. They basically say, "Just get it over with." This puts the state in a weird position where they have to make sure the person is mentally competent to make that choice, while the defense lawyers often fight to keep their client alive against their own wishes.
Actionable Steps for Following the Process
If you are trying to stay updated on the status of death row inmates in AZ, there are a few reliable ways to do it without falling into the trap of sensationalized news.
- Monitor the ADCRR Website: The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry maintains a public list of every death row inmate, including their crime and sentence date.
- Watch the Arizona Supreme Court Calendar: All execution warrants must be issued here. When the Attorney General files a motion for a warrant, it’s a sign an execution is roughly 35 to 60 days away.
- Check Clemency Board Hearings: Before any execution, the Board of Executive Clemency must hold a hearing. This is often the last place where victims' families and the inmate's family speak publicly.
- Follow the Drug Supply News: The 90-day expiration on pentobarbital is the biggest bottleneck right now. Any news about the state’s ability to source or compound these drugs usually dictates the pace of upcoming executions.
The system is currently moving toward a more streamlined process, but with 107 people still waiting and a legal system that values due process, the "wait" is likely to remain the defining feature of Arizona's death row for years to come.