NCJ Number
166062
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An individual who has been involved in prison ministry for 17 years describes the feelings and experiences of death row inmates and urges youth to examine their lives and remember that they are accountable for what they do.
Abstract
Tennessee has not executed anyone since 1960. In the previous 44 years, it executed 145 men convicted of murder and rape. The men ranged in age from 15 to 55 years. The death row inmates with whom the author has prayed, talked, laughed, and cried are human beings who led the wrong lifestyle. Many have parents, wives, children, and grandchildren. Ron Harries came within a day of being executed. He went on death watch; the electric chair was on the other side of the wall. The electric chair is often called Old Sparky. It can put about 2,500 volts through a person and puts a violent end to a violent life. Death row inmates may have thought that they could float along in life because they did not ask for trouble. However, they turned away from their responsibilities. Youth are responsible for what they do and cannot blame their actions on anything except themselves. They can live meaningful lives by giving to others, taking their responsibilities seriously, and know that they make decisions for themselves.