NCJ Number
43709
Journal
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 6-31
Date Published
1977
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE IMPRESSIONS OF THE UTAH STATE PRISON MEDICAL DIRECTOR CONCERNING THE CASE OF GARY GILMORE, WHO ACTIVELY SOUGHT THE EXECUTION OF HIS OWN DEATH SENTENCE, ARE RECORDED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH THE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS OF GILMORE AND HIS GIRL FRIEND DURING GILMORE'S FINAL CONFINEMENT. GILMORE'S LIFE HISTORY IS THEN RECOUNTED, WITH EMPHASIS ON FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HIS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. IT IS NOTED THAT GILMORE'S PARENTS WERE EXTREMELY PERMISSIVE, THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED TREATMENT IN HIS CONTACTS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HE WAS RELEASED FROM CONFINEMENT BEFORE HIS FULL SENTENCE HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT. GILMORE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN NOT 'FRANKLY INSANE' BUT ONLY 'ANTI-SOCIAL WITH A SEVERE PERSONALITY DISORDER.' THE IMMEDIATE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO GILMORE'S TRIAL AND CONVICTION FOR MURDER ARE REVIEWED. THE DETAILS OF GILMORE'S STAY IN THE UTAH STATE PRISON PRIOR TO HIS EXECUTION ARE RECOUNTED, INCLUDING VERBATIM REPORTS OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S ENCOUNTERS WITH GILMORE. THE EXECUTION IS DESCRIBED, AND GILMORE'S LAST WORDS ARE NOTED. THE AUTHOR ALSO OFFERS HIS OBSERVATIONS ON PRISON LIFE IN GENERAL. HE CONCLUDES THAT GILMORE WAS 'AN AMAZING MAN. A COLD-BLOODED KILLER, COMPLETELY ANTI-SOCIAL, BUT WITH A SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE, AND A PERSONALITY THAT HAD WON OVER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE....'