Maryland abolishes death penalty.

[Jester]

Second: I find Cuba a pretty good example. Despite a boycott from most part of the world, they are doing a lot better than the surrounding island states.

Cuba in regional context

Cuba's about as poor, and about as rich, as its neighbors. Haiti is much poorer, the small colonial islands are much richer. But Cuba does not stand out for being particularly well-off. Life expectancy is very good, but no better than in Puerto Rico.

-Jester