The United States currently has 2,738 inmates on death row, with only 2% being women and 42% classified as white. The average time spent on death row is 20 years. On the day of execution, the inmate is taken from their cell to the "death house" where they are searched and placed in a private cell. They are allowed to see family and can be visited by a chaplain. The inmate is given special clothes and can write letters or reflect on their life. They are also given a last meal, which can cost up to $40, although some states have different limits.
Before the execution, the inmate is prepared by having their head shaved and being dressed in the special clothes. They are then taken to the execution room where they are secured to a gurney and administered lethal injection. Some inmates make a final statement, and the witnesses are brought into the room. The execution is typically carried out in the early evening, and the inmate's last words are often recorded.
The process of execution is often described as dignified and clean, with the inmate usually walking to the execution chamber without incident. However, there have been cases where inmates have protested their innocence or become agitated. The video ends with a question about whether the death penalty is an appropriate punishment for criminals, and invites viewers to share their thoughts in the comments.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. There are 2,738 inmates on death row in the United States.
2. Only 2% of people on death row are women.
3. The racial breakdown of people on death row is: 42% white, 41% black, 13% Latino, 1.9% Asian, 1% Native American, and the rest are unknown.
4. The average time spent on death row from sentencing to execution is 20 years.
5. Inmates on death row are moved to a separate cell, often called the "death house," on the day of their execution.
6. Inmates are searched before being transported to the death house to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
7. The atmosphere in the van transporting the inmate to the death house is solemn, and guards often take a route that minimizes the risk of ambush.
8. Inmates are placed on "death watch" after arriving at the death house, where they are constantly monitored.
9. Inmates are allowed to see family and a chaplain on the day of their execution.
10. Inmates are given special clothes to wear on the day of their execution, which are often smarter than their regular prison attire.
11. Inmates are allowed to make phone calls to loved ones on the day of their execution, but the calls are monitored by guards.
12. The last meal of an inmate can cost up to $40, and the options are limited to what is available in the prison kitchen.
13. In some states, inmates are no longer allowed to choose their last meal, and instead are given the usual prison food.
14. The time of execution can vary from state to state, but it is often in the early evening.
15. Witnesses to the execution include family members of the victim, journalists, and friends of the condemned.
16. The inmate is taken to the execution room, where they are secured to a gurney or chair, depending on the method of execution.
17. Doctors are not typically present at executions, as it is not in line with their code of ethics.
18. A special team is responsible for administering the lethal injection.
19. Inmates may make a final statement before their execution, but the length and content of the statement vary by state.
20. The execution is typically carried out by a team of officials, including the warden and the executioner.