NCJ Number
62786
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DETAILS THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PERSONS AWAITING EXECUTION IN THE UNITED STATES ARE HELD, BASED ON A QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO 50 STATES BY THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
OF THE 49 STATES WHICH RESPONDED TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE, 35 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND OF THOSE 35, 9 REPORTED THAT NO PRISONERS WERE BEING HELD FOR EXECUTION. THE OTHER 26 STATES REPORTED THAT 538 PERSONS WERE AWAITING EXECUTION AND THAT ELECTROCUTION WAS USED IN 118 STATES. OTHER METHODS OF EXECUTION WERE GAS, LETHAL DRUGS, HANGING, ASPHYXIATION, AND THE FIRING SQUAD. IN 24 STATES, THE EXECUTIONER WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CORRECTIONS AGENCY. WITH ONE EXCEPTION, EVERY STATE HOLDING CONDEMNED PRISONERS CONFINED THEM IN STANDARD, SINGLE OCCUPANCY, MAXIMUM-SECURITY WET CELLS, USUALLY SEGREGATED FROM OTHER PRISONERS. REPLIES OF SEVERAL STATES INDICATED THAT PERSONS AWAITING EXECUTION HAVE BEEN IN CONDEMNED STATUS FOR VERY LENGTHY PERIODS, WITH ONE INDIVIDUAL WAITING 9 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS. ALL STATES EXCEPT SIX ALLOWED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR RECREATION AND VISITING PRIVILEGES. IN SOME STATES, DAILY VISITS WERE ALLOWED, WHILE IN OTHERS ONLY SPORADIC VISITS WERE PERMITTED. TABULAR DATA AND A COPY OF THE DEATH HOUSE SURVEY ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)