Final answer:
The uncommon characteristic of inmates on death row is being sentenced to life imprisonment. Death row inmates are often convicted of violent crimes, are typically male, and may have prior convictions, but are sentenced to execution, not life imprisonment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is not a common characteristic of inmates on death row is being sentenced to life imprisonment. Inmates on death row have typically been convicted of committing a violent crime, many have a history of prior convictions, and a large majority are male. However, once they are on death row, the sentence is for execution, not life imprisonment.
An example that illustrates that women could be on death row is a hypothetical situation where a woman committed a capital crime. Despite this, she would still face execution if convicted. There are also examples of cases where a botched electrocution or a movement against the death penalty following wrongful executions raised questions about the application of capital punishment. The death penalty is not uniformly applied across genders, crimes, or states within the U.S., with some states and counties being more prone to handing down death sentences, and with racial disparities and public opposition influencing its use and perception.