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Post by charon on Jul 17, 2013 2:59:31 GMT -6
IPS News / By Michael J. Carter November 7, 2008 Waiting to Die: The Cruel Phenomenon of "Death Row Syndrome" As prisoners across the country spend decades awaiting execution, the psychological effects are devastating.
SEATTLE, Washington, Nov 4 (IPS) — The length of time convicted murderers wait for their execution is steadily rising in the U.S., raising concerns that more will suffer from the mental illness known as "death row syndrome.â€
The United States' 3,300 death row inmates can now expect to wait an average of 12 years from the day of their sentencing to death by lethal injection or electric chair, a doubling of the time gap in the mid-1980s, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice.
This increase is mainly due to mandatory appeals introduced after capital punishment was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976 after a four-year suspension. These reforms have led to lengthier appeals, according to the Washington-based Death Penalty Information Center.
The 667 death row inmates in California can expect to wait nearly 20 years.
California's last execution was in January 2006. A month later, a judge halted the execution of Michael Morales, already on death row for 25 years, calling for measures to ensure no unnecessary pain during a state killing. The temporary moratorium put in place then has not yet been lifted.
In other death penalty states, inmates have also sometimes waited a quarter of a century or more to know the date of their execution, reprieve or exoneration.
On Sept. 16, Jack Alderman was executed in Georgia for killing his wife in 1974 after spending 33 years on death row.
In April, Renardo Knight had spent nearly 25 years on death row before his conviction was reversed due to evidence tampering.
Last year, Carey Dean Moore was moved from Nebraska's death row after waiting 27 years for the electric chair. The state's Supreme Court ruled this method of execution -- the only one on its statute books -- was unconstitutional.
Typically, death row inmates wait out the years for their punishment alone in solitary confinement, spending 23 hours a day in their cells. They are excluded from prison training and recreation programs. Visits and exercise privileges are restricted.
A few states, such as North Carolina, California and Georgia, allow varying levels of communication between death row inmates.
"There is a distinct syndrome associated with solitary confinement," Stuart Grassian, a psychiatrist and former professor at the Harvard Medical School of Psychiatry, told IPS.
In published research he has found that in the most sever cases this can lead to "agitation", "psychotic" and "self-destructive" behavior.
The healthy "often" became mental ill. There was a "severe" deterioration in the condition of those already mentally sick.
Grassian said the long appeals process of the condemned was "most worrisome".
"There is an enormous agony in endlessly, and helplessly, waiting while others decide whether you live or die.
"Generally, over time, the inmate learns he cannot afford to actually befriend his fellows; they keep disappearing into the death chamber. The horror of all that, the endless tedium and tension, often proves unbearable."
Rights activists say an illustration of the mental damage being done is seen in the case of Raymond Riles, on the Texas death row for the past 33 years. No execution date has been set because he suffers from delusions and paranoia. But in 1975, there were no mental health barriers in the way of his sentencing. (Riles was convicted of the December 1974 attempted robbery and slaying of a Houston used car dealer John Thomas Henry.)
They also suggest "death row syndrome" may have played a role in the decision of 131 death row inmates since 1976 abandoning their appeals and "volunteering" for a quick execution.
"Many inmates in these circumstances cannot stand it any longer, fire their attorneys, drop their appeals, and hence "volunteer" for execution, said Grassian.
Seventy-five percent of these "volunteers" had a history of mental illness, according to John Blume, professor of law at Cornell University.
Rights activists have also raised concerns at the difficulties inmates with "death row syndrome" may face when their appeals succeed and they are given a lesser sentence and transferred to cells in the general prison. Only Missouri does not segregate death row inmates from the rest of the prison population.
The problems of adaptation and regaining their mental health may be more acute when they are exonerated and leave prison. So far this year, four death row inmates have been exonerated, bringing to 130 the number since 1973.
Experts question the reasoning behind the austere, often mentally damaging conditions on death row.
"The rational is that these inmates have nothing to lose and therefore they are potentially the greatest security risk," Grassian said.
But it had been proven that they were "less violent and disruptive than many other groups".
Ronald Tabak, a New York-based lawyer experienced in capital punishment issues, agreed.
"They tend to be less dangerous than other prisoners," he told IPS, adding: "There is no public sympathy for those who are sentenced to death."
Despite the growing debate about the "death row syndrome", the Supreme Court has yet to hear a case on the issue.
But two justices -- Stephen Breyer and John Paul Stevens -- have questioned the constitutionality of the long delays between conviction and the carrying out of executions.
The issue was "an important undecided one", Breyer said in 1995 during a ruling on the case of Clarence Allen Lackey. Lackey, who was executed in 1997, served almost 20 years on death row before his sentence was carried out.
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Just when you think you heard it all. The highlighted comments are particularly priceless to me. Just what the hell do these people want?
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Post by SubSurfCPO(ret) on Jul 17, 2013 3:42:52 GMT -6
So, we reduce the psychological impact by expediting the process and carry out the sentence in a timely manner well ahead of previous norms
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Post by whitediamonds on Jul 17, 2013 7:32:23 GMT -6
So, we reduce the psychological impact by expediting the process and carry out the sentence in a timely manner well ahead of previous norms Exactly !! Prroblem solved less expense too.
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Post by liljessncda on Jul 17, 2013 23:31:08 GMT -6
This article is crazy. I'm sorry your on death row for ?... Ummm if you have mental anguish waiting for your fate that you surely deserve well rather then firing your attorney or waiting for your execution grab a sheet and speed it up.
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Post by kingsindanger on Jul 28, 2013 19:02:38 GMT -6
"There is no public sympathy for those who are sentenced to death."
If only this was true.
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Post by starbux on Aug 6, 2013 3:18:39 GMT -6
"There is no public sympathy for those who are sentenced to death." If only this was true. wish that were true, it seems there are too many of those amnesty inter anus a holes that sem to boo hoo after a scumbag POS gets it finnaly. All those candle light vigils make me want to barf. :-<
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Post by dogrose on Aug 6, 2013 11:48:59 GMT -6
I just wish that, after sentencing, they took 'em out and shot 'em like they do in China. Call me stupid, ( and I guess some of you will), but to have to anticipate death every day for how ever many years, is a pretty nasty punishment in my very humble opinion. Please don't think I have any sympathy with those who deserve death, but to be sentenced to die on one day, then have to wait for years to be put to death is ridiculous.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2013 17:09:53 GMT -6
I just wish that, after sentencing, they took 'em out and shot 'em like they do in China. Call me stupid, ( and I guess some of you will), but to have to anticipate death every day for how ever many years, is a pretty nasty punishment in my very humble opinion. Please don't think I have any sympathy with those who deserve death, but to be sentenced to die on one day, then have to wait for years to be put to death is ridiculous. As soon as they waive right to further appeals, the wait ends.
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Post by Californian on Aug 6, 2013 18:38:25 GMT -6
I was re-reading Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" last week and in the book he mentioned (this was 1961) that there were about 400 prisoners on death row in the entire U.S., and the average time between sentence and execution was about 18 months. It was considered scandalous that the execution of Hickock and Smith took almost five years!This included appeals. Now we have a whole cadre of sycophants who do nothing but delay executions for decades through endless appeals and *bullcrap* allegations of mental retardation and mental illness, and then they have the termerity to insist that the delay they themselves cause is cruel and unusual. Obviously, this is a fine example of circular reasoning, but of course it seems to work for them, so that's what they do.
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Post by The Tipsy Broker on Aug 7, 2013 1:24:52 GMT -6
I don't think you are stupid Cassie. You are a very honest lady, honest and gentle. Gentle words can have so much force. Your character 'lifts' from the computer screen, I feel you would be a wonderful person to know in real life.
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Post by charon on Aug 7, 2013 3:20:11 GMT -6
I just wish that, after sentencing, they took 'em out and shot 'em like they do in China. Call me stupid, ( and I guess some of you will), but to have to anticipate death every day for how ever many years, is a pretty nasty punishment in my very humble opinion. Please don't think I have any sympathy with those who deserve death, but to be sentenced to die on one day, then have to wait for years to be put to death is ridiculous. No stupid here. Just came back from a labour related disciplinary hearing which I chaired. Within three hours I examined evidence and witnesses, and had to make a decision and recommendation. I recommended that the person be fired. It was unpleasant and to watch the expectation on the lady's face when I wound up my findings was hell. The relieve, however, when the verdict was delivered there and then is very sad indeed. No waiting and no further hope or doubt. I feel terrible. On this point, however, I like the fact that these scumbags sweat over their last days. We're talking murder, not misconduct. We're talking death and not dismissal, yes, but if you live by the sword...
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Post by josephdphillips on Aug 7, 2013 9:11:57 GMT -6
As soon as they waive right to further appeals, the wait ends. That isn't exactly true. I know in California, appeals do not require the consent of condemned inmates. That is probably true in other DP states as well.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 10:43:52 GMT -6
As soon as they waive right to further appeals, the wait ends. That isn't exactly true. I know in California, appeals do not require the consent of condemned inmates. That is probably true in other DP states as well. They can waive the right to further appeals in Texas, and many other states, after the Direct Appeals are done. In other words, they can waive right to habeas appeals. That is how some have been executed in 3 or so years in Texas. Yes, I know even that would take longer in California, and if it didn't already something would happen to make it so. Since we do have 50 states with their own laws, only very few would be silly enough to expect them to all be the same state to state. But the truth is, as Cali has so succinctly stated, it is pretty much due to the actions of antis and the condemned themselves if the process is lengthy.
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Post by dogrose on Aug 7, 2013 11:53:12 GMT -6
I don't think you are stupid Cassie. You are a very honest lady, honest and gentle. Gentle words can have so much force. Your character 'lifts' from the computer screen, I feel you would be a wonderful person to know in real life. Steve, what a very nice thing to say, you made a lump in my throat, thanks so much. I do try to be honest and to see things from all perspectives, so it's nice to have that acknowleged. I was going to say that we may even meet for a drink someday but I know you are on the wagon. Well done.
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Post by josephdphillips on Aug 7, 2013 14:25:20 GMT -6
But the truth is, as Cali has so succinctly stated, it is pretty much due to the actions of antis and the condemned themselves if the process is lengthy. I don't buy that for a New York minute, Janet. Absolutely NOTHING has stopped the "pros" from streamlining the process, particularly in California. Bills to streamline the execution process at the federal level don't even make it out of committee in the United States Congress. You can't blame the antis for that, since "pros" are the political majority. Appeals take a long time, even in Texas, because "pros" are worried about executing innocent people.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 16:57:20 GMT -6
But the truth is, as Cali has so succinctly stated, it is pretty much due to the actions of antis and the condemned themselves if the process is lengthy. I don't buy that for a New York minute, Janet. Absolutely NOTHING has stopped the "pros" from streamlining the process, particularly in California. Bills to streamline the execution process at the federal level don't even make it out of committee in the United States Congress. You can't blame the antis for that, since "pros" are the political majority. Appeals take a long time, even in Texas, because "pros" are worried about executing innocent people. I didn't say you had to believe it. It's still my opinion. What you have to say about it won't affect my opinion.
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Post by moonlight on Aug 8, 2013 4:05:35 GMT -6
Well, first of all I want to express my great joy from those findings. I enjoy the idea that scummies like John King, the main perp who took the life of an innocent black man named, James Bird Jr. in Jaspar Texas, in a very horrific way by draging him chained behind a pickup vehicle, purely just for a hate crime, will be tormented on Polunsky death row until he's lunched to his journey for Xibalba cave entrance in Guatemala, where he will be wheeled straight to Hades residence and for the lowest tier in it called Tartarus, the place of pure torment, where the most wicked people are sent to endure for eternity tortures in most gruesome ways.
Death row syndrome? ehh? Just don't give a *deleted* on their "devastating psychological effects"! For their heinous deeds they inflicted upon their innocent victims, they have forever forfeited their rights to be treated like human beings. They are doomed to be treated like rabid animals awaiting annihilation. My only concern is about the psychological effects of family members of the murder victims, who have to wait for decades to get to the day having closure for their agony, by witnessing the annihilation of the perp who have caused them the ongoing agony. My only concern is for the well being of family members of the murder victims.
So... if condition are so terrible for the scummies squatting on death rows that eventually causes them to drop their damned appeals and "volunteer" for their justified demise by the state, then that is very very good. If things were under my own control, no doubt, I would have made my own initiatives to do my best I can to encourage as many condemned inmates as possible to go by their own free will for their appointment with the grim reaper.
Finally, every condemned murderer who is at most severl hours before his annihilation by the correctional veterinarians (the execution team) will be forced to watch the film displayed on my post above, so he will be very awared, until his very last gaspings, about the reality of his destination, so he can prepare for the upcoming, and not fall under the delusion of "going to Haven and enjoying life with the angels and Jesus" crap being told to them by the prison pastors.
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Post by moretoasts on Aug 8, 2013 9:10:04 GMT -6
I just wish that, after sentencing, they took 'em out and shot 'em like they do in China. that's a true DP supporting A gentle hearth, all pros should learn from her
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Post by kingsindanger on Aug 9, 2013 20:37:36 GMT -6
"There is no public sympathy for those who are sentenced to death." If only this was true. wish that were true, it seems there are too many of those amnesty inter anus a holes that sem to boo hoo after a scumbag POS gets it finnaly. All those candle light vigils make me want to barf. :-< Right. Some of those PTO threads make the executed person seem almost saintly.
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Post by kingsindanger on Aug 9, 2013 20:49:42 GMT -6
But the truth is, as Cali has so succinctly stated, it is pretty much due to the actions of antis and the condemned themselves if the process is lengthy. I don't buy that for a New York minute, Janet. Absolutely NOTHING has stopped the "pros" from streamlining the process, particularly in California. Bills to streamline the execution process at the federal level don't even make it out of committee in the United States Congress. You can't blame the antis for that, since "pros" are the political majority. Appeals take a long time, even in Texas, because "pros" are worried about executing innocent people. We also allow so many appeals regarding challenges to the way the sentence is carried out, which has nothing to do with guilt or innocence.
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Post by Californian on Aug 10, 2013 9:53:02 GMT -6
Right. Some of those PTO threads make the executed person seem almost saintly. Victimhood is sacred to our liberal brethren.
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Post by starbux on Aug 10, 2013 15:45:13 GMT -6
I here they have a cure for DRS. It's a high dose of electrical current
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Post by josephdphillips on Aug 12, 2013 13:01:49 GMT -6
We also allow so many appeals regarding challenges to the way the sentence is carried out, which has nothing to do with guilt or innocence. Which is stupid, because execution protocols don't matter.
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Post by kingsindanger on Aug 21, 2013 13:51:42 GMT -6
We also allow so many appeals regarding challenges to the way the sentence is carried out, which has nothing to do with guilt or innocence. Which is stupid, because execution protocols don't matter. I would like to think that after Baze Vs. Rees, the point would be moot. Of course, that does not appear to be the case.
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Post by starbux on Aug 21, 2013 22:59:48 GMT -6
Which is stupid, because execution protocols don't matter. I would like to think that after Baze Vs. Rees, the point would be moot. Of course, that does not appear to be the case. Yeah since when is an execution supposed to be a pleasant experience? The whole point of punishment is to make it an unpleasant experience. Next they will say every criminal suffers from prison syndrome. Although I believe they do they call it institutionalized, which is fine by me keep all them locked them locked up and throw away the fckg key.
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