> That doesn't mean they sentence more people to death, a large part of the reason is that they haven't carried out an execution in 20 years. So the numbers will continue to grow instead of shrinking until the inmates die from some other cause

Ah, that explains it, thanks!

I was wondering why one of the most "liberal left" states, with a strong opposition to the death penalty would have so many death sentences - but it makes sense that the large number of inmates is instead a consequence of them not carrying out the sentence.