Capital Punishment |
Types & Descriptions
Hanging
Until the 1890's, hanging was the main method of execution used in the United States. The majority of the states have all together stopped using the hanging method except for both Delaware and Washington.
When the hanging execution is performed, the prisoner's hands and legs are tied up. The prisoner is then blind-folded, and the noose is hung around the neck.
If the setup is not properly done, "the face becomes engorged, the eyes pop out, the tongue protrudes, the body defecates, and the limbs start moving rapidly," (thedeathpenalty.org).
Electrocution
The electric chair was invented in 1888 as a new method of execution said to be more "humane" than hanging. However, in 2008 the Supreme Court ruled it as "unconstitutional" and is no longer used as execution in any state.
When electrocution was being performed within the Unites States, the inmate's head would be fully shaved. His or Her eyes would be blind-folded, and his or her chest, groin, legs, and arms would be tied to the electric chair. A metal electrode is then strapped to the head over a sponge dipped in saline. A switch is pulled, and a jolt of electricity between 500 and 2000 volts is released for about 30 seconds.
By the end of the execution, the body, if touched, is hot enough to blister a person's hand. The body turns bright red, the flesh swells, and the eyes will sometimes pop out.
Firing Squad
Firing squad is another method of execution that, today, is rarely used. Oklahoma is the only state still using this method of execution if requested by the inmate. However, there are several states talking about bringing the firing squad back as a second option of execution.
The firing squad execution is performed by first tying the inmate to a chair with leather straps around the waist and head. A black hood is then put over the inmate's head. Five shooters stand 20 feet away from the "target" and shoot with .3 caliber rifles. The chair is surrounded by large sandbags to absorb the inmate's blood once the shooting has been completed.
Until the 1890's, hanging was the main method of execution used in the United States. The majority of the states have all together stopped using the hanging method except for both Delaware and Washington.
When the hanging execution is performed, the prisoner's hands and legs are tied up. The prisoner is then blind-folded, and the noose is hung around the neck.
If the setup is not properly done, "the face becomes engorged, the eyes pop out, the tongue protrudes, the body defecates, and the limbs start moving rapidly," (thedeathpenalty.org).
Electrocution
The electric chair was invented in 1888 as a new method of execution said to be more "humane" than hanging. However, in 2008 the Supreme Court ruled it as "unconstitutional" and is no longer used as execution in any state.
When electrocution was being performed within the Unites States, the inmate's head would be fully shaved. His or Her eyes would be blind-folded, and his or her chest, groin, legs, and arms would be tied to the electric chair. A metal electrode is then strapped to the head over a sponge dipped in saline. A switch is pulled, and a jolt of electricity between 500 and 2000 volts is released for about 30 seconds.
By the end of the execution, the body, if touched, is hot enough to blister a person's hand. The body turns bright red, the flesh swells, and the eyes will sometimes pop out.
Firing Squad
Firing squad is another method of execution that, today, is rarely used. Oklahoma is the only state still using this method of execution if requested by the inmate. However, there are several states talking about bringing the firing squad back as a second option of execution.
The firing squad execution is performed by first tying the inmate to a chair with leather straps around the waist and head. A black hood is then put over the inmate's head. Five shooters stand 20 feet away from the "target" and shoot with .3 caliber rifles. The chair is surrounded by large sandbags to absorb the inmate's blood once the shooting has been completed.
Gas Chamber
Cyanide gas was introduced in 1924 as a more "humane" way of execution. Today, there are 5 states that still use the gas chamber as a method of execution.
To perform this execution, the inmate is strapped to a chai in an airtight space. A pail of sulfuric acid is placed underneath the chair. A switch is then turned on letting sodium cyanide into the pail causing hydrogen cyanide to release into the chamber. The inmate does not die immediately. It takes several torturous minutes for the poison to kick in.
Lethal Injection
The first state adopted the lethal injection execution in 1977. Today, there are 32 states administering the death penalty, and every state uses lethal injection as an option or the only way of execution.
To perform this type of execution, the inmate is tied to a gurney. Two needles are pierced into usable veins located in the inmate's arm. He or she is first put to sleep. Then, pancuronium bromide is given which paralyzes the muscle system and stops the breathing. They are then given potassium chloride, which stops the heart.
Cyanide gas was introduced in 1924 as a more "humane" way of execution. Today, there are 5 states that still use the gas chamber as a method of execution.
To perform this execution, the inmate is strapped to a chai in an airtight space. A pail of sulfuric acid is placed underneath the chair. A switch is then turned on letting sodium cyanide into the pail causing hydrogen cyanide to release into the chamber. The inmate does not die immediately. It takes several torturous minutes for the poison to kick in.
Lethal Injection
The first state adopted the lethal injection execution in 1977. Today, there are 32 states administering the death penalty, and every state uses lethal injection as an option or the only way of execution.
To perform this type of execution, the inmate is tied to a gurney. Two needles are pierced into usable veins located in the inmate's arm. He or she is first put to sleep. Then, pancuronium bromide is given which paralyzes the muscle system and stops the breathing. They are then given potassium chloride, which stops the heart.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Steve Snodgrass, Donna_Rutherford, abodftyh, Ted and Jen