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The Execution Protocol: Inside America's Capital Punishment Industry
Interviews with executioners, prisoners on death row, and the designer of the lethal injection machine, as well as personal observations, provide an eye-opening study of capital punishment in America. 20,000 first printing. TV tie-in. Tour.
342 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 11, 2011
A SERIOUS WORK FOR THOSE WITH CURIOSITY IN THE DEATH PENALTY
According to the front cover of my copy this book is unpleasant and may be morbid, nothing further than the truth. It is a very detailed piece of research that consists on a set of interviews, carefully written with utmost detail employing a neat and polished language describing all the agents intervening in a execution protocol tailored according to the mandates of the Criminal Laws of the State of Missouri in the United States,
These interviews were conducted by an American Journalist living in the UK and encompasses very interesting approaches to the subject. Begins with Mr Leuchter the man who designed electric chairs, and lethal injection machines (one wonder how can a man can make a business of that..). Then the investigation focuses on the most part in the Missouri Death Row at the Potosi Prison where the author interviews, the warden, the chaplain, the doctor (...what did these people do and feel at the time of executions ..? (..Not one might think..) and Prisoners who were on the brink of being executed and then got a stay (...what did these people feel at those times ? more than interesting to find out..), and then how the lethal injection machine is operated to fulfil its lethal function and what happens if it fails
The subject is very appealing and the purpose, in my opinion, is to study the mysterious relationship between life and death, particularly for those knowing their time has come. It is noteworthy, that this book was written at a time when the internet was not fully developed as a source of information. I consider this set of interviews a useful tool for those studying Criminal Justice
According to the front cover of my copy this book is unpleasant and may be morbid, nothing further than the truth. It is a very detailed piece of research that consists on a set of interviews, carefully written with utmost detail employing a neat and polished language describing all the agents intervening in a execution protocol tailored according to the mandates of the Criminal Laws of the State of Missouri in the United States,
These interviews were conducted by an American Journalist living in the UK and encompasses very interesting approaches to the subject. Begins with Mr Leuchter the man who designed electric chairs, and lethal injection machines (one wonder how can a man can make a business of that..). Then the investigation focuses on the most part in the Missouri Death Row at the Potosi Prison where the author interviews, the warden, the chaplain, the doctor (...what did these people do and feel at the time of executions ..? (..Not one might think..) and Prisoners who were on the brink of being executed and then got a stay (...what did these people feel at those times ? more than interesting to find out..), and then how the lethal injection machine is operated to fulfil its lethal function and what happens if it fails
The subject is very appealing and the purpose, in my opinion, is to study the mysterious relationship between life and death, particularly for those knowing their time has come. It is noteworthy, that this book was written at a time when the internet was not fully developed as a source of information. I consider this set of interviews a useful tool for those studying Criminal Justice
December 16, 2015
I have this in hardback which isn't listed here, stangely !
I really enjoyed this and saw the BBC documntary made based on it as well which provoked an outcry. Personally I think the Americans have the right idea.
It was very interesting to read/see behind-the-scenes of an execution.
I really enjoyed this and saw the BBC documntary made based on it as well which provoked an outcry. Personally I think the Americans have the right idea.
It was very interesting to read/see behind-the-scenes of an execution.
August 11, 2008
This is an intriguing, behind-the-scenes look at the capital punishment system in American prisons and its effects on the executioners, the condemned, and their families.
January 12, 2018
This book is very educational and extremely factual. Not only does it shed light on the execution itself, but on the whole industry of making lethal devices for capital punishment.
April 9, 2015
" This is a story of men and machines: the story of how a team of men, sanctioned by the highest courts, sets out, deliberately, and according to a well-defined plan, to take a life."
The first sentence, above, from the Preface of the book pretty much sums up the purpose of the book. Sort of a "life cycle" of the "death cycle." The entire process, from the building of the first lethal injection machine to death row, is detailed in this book.
Although the book was written back in 1992,most of it is still pertinent today. This was a VERY good book on the death penalty process. Highly recommended.
The first sentence, above, from the Preface of the book pretty much sums up the purpose of the book. Sort of a "life cycle" of the "death cycle." The entire process, from the building of the first lethal injection machine to death row, is detailed in this book.
Although the book was written back in 1992,most of it is still pertinent today. This was a VERY good book on the death penalty process. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2011
Looking at the mechanics of execution in the USA. Focusing on Missouri, where lethal injection is the chosen method. This may be a book to reread following the controversial execution of Troy Davis in Georgia. The states which execute the most people in the world these days are China, North Korea, Iran, USA and Saudi Arabia. In Europe only Belarus still executes its citizens. It would seem in the 21st century that capital punishment is both cruel and unusual.
January 19, 2016
Some of the ironic statements made by participants in this book are just mind blowing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews