NCJ Number
227334
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 327-347
Date Published
June 2009
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined the sentiments that death row inmates felt were important to express in their last statements.
Abstract
Findings show that one-third of the sample offered an apology, most of which were directed toward the victim's family. Noted was that offenders who did not offer a final statement, and some of those who did but did not explicitly apologize, might have had the opportunity to apologize in person or through letters, and did not feel the need to do it again in their final statement. In contrast to the high number of apologies offered, very few made an excuse or claimed that the crime was an accident. Also found was a high level of sincerity in the statements, particularly toward the inmate's own friends and family, but also toward the victim's friends and family. These finding are in line with the theory that apologizing can in some way benefit the offender. For some it may have been an attempt to make their victim's family feel better, and for some it may have been an attempt to make themselves feel better, or possibly both; research suggests that both victims and offenders can benefit when the offender offers an apology and shows remorse. Tables and references