What happens when you are executed by electrocution

[mawilson 2,133]

What happens when you are executed by electrocution?

In the late 19th century, it was widely believed that a more modern method

of execution was needed to replace the three most commonly used execution

methods at that time (hanging, firing squad, and, in France, beheading).

The first practical electric chair was invented by Harold P Brown who worked

for Thomas Edison. The first person to die in the electric chair was executed

in 1890. A parallel occurrence at around the same time was the scientific

discovery of the precise effects upon the body of high voltages of electricity.

For example, according to Dr T Bernstein of the Wallace-Kettering Neuroscience

Institute at Wright State University, writing in Medical Instrumentation in 1975,

two doctors by the name of Prevost and Battelli demonstrated in 1899 that

death from electrocution was caused, not by damaging the brain, but by high

voltages of electricity causing very rapid irregular contractions of the heart

(ventricular fibrillation) eventuating in the heart stopping.

As for the execution itself, the prisoner must first be prepared for execution

by shaving the head and the calf of one leg. This permits better contact between

the skin and the electrodes which must be attached to the body. The prisoner is

strapped into the electric chair at the wrists, waist, and ankles. An electrode is

attached to the head and another to the leg. At least two jolts of an electrical

current are applied for several minutes. An initial voltage of about 2,000 volts

stops the heart and induces unconsciousness. The voltage is then lowered

somewhat.

In one US state, the protocol calls for a jolt of 2,450 volts that lasts for

15 seconds. After a 15 minute wait, the prisoner is then examined by a coroner.

After 20 seconds, the cycle is repeated. It is repeated three more times. The

body may heat up to approximately 100°C (210°F), which causes severe

damage to internal organs. Often the eyeballs melt.

Taping the eyes closed is often part of the preparation for execution by

electrocution. The effects of the electricity often cause the body to twitch and

gyrate uncontrollably and bodily functions may "let go". Prisoners are sometimes

offered diapers.

Although death is supposedly instantaneous, some prisoners have been known

to shriek and even shout while being executed in this way. There have been

reports of a prisoner's head bursting into flames. There have been reports too

of a prisoner being removed from an electric chair that has malfunctioned part

way through the electrocution and then being placed back in the chair once it is

fixed in order for the job to be finished. Some skin is burned off the prisoner.

The burned off skin must then be scrapped off the seat and straps of the electric

chair before it may be used again.

Interesting facts

• In 1991, a recommendation was made by two Polish doctors that the
  thighs also be strapped in. Warsaw Drs L Zynda and K Skiba reported in
  the Chirurgia Narzadow Ruchu I Ortopedia Poska on the case of a
  58-year-old executed male who whose legs were broken by the intense
  twitching of the legs due to the force of the deadly electric current passing
  through his body.
  
• In 1946, an electric chair malfunctioned and failed to execute the prisoner
  who reported shrieked "Stop it! Let me breathe!" as he was being executed.
  Having survived, lawyers for the prisoners argued that, although he did
  not die, he had been executed as defined by the law. In 1947, in the case
  of Francis vs Resweber, the US Supreme Court ruled against the prisoner.
  He was returned to the electric chair and successfully executed later that year.
  

Stephen Juan, Ph.D. is an anthropologist at the University of Sydney.

Email your questions to s.juan@edfac.usyd.edu.au

[Jenn! 918]

How civilised.

[isleta521 5]

SHOCKING!!

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

How civilised.

yeah, we should just cut the heads off

[isleta521 5]

How civilised.

yeah, we should just cut the heads off

I was going to say that!! Especially with the cost of energy these days.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Green Mile.

[Jenn! 918]

The Green Mile.

Yeah, that's what I thought of too. The dry sponge.

[gabby4ever 1]

for rapists, child molesters and other twisted phsycos out there, this is a very nice way to die and they've "earned" it...i have no simpathy for the people in those categories.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

for rapists, child molesters and other twisted phsycos out there, this is a very nice way to die and they've "earned" it...i have no simpathy for the people in those categories.

Why? Is there some sort of perverted satisfaction in being barbaric to barbarians? If someone spits in your face, would you feel good about yourself to do it back? In that case, you are letting others dictate your behavior.

[babybunny 2]

for rapists, child molesters and other twisted phsycos out there, this is a very nice way to die and they've "earned" it...i have no simpathy for the people in those categories.

in pakistan those people would suffer a hanging.

yes rape is punishable by death!

[mybackpages 0]

for rapists, child molesters and other twisted phsycos out there, this is a very nice way to die and they've "earned" it...i have no simpathy for the people in those categories.

These crimes are not death penalty eligible in Texas where we execute like crazy. There is not even an option for life without parole in Texas, so the worse any of these crimes could get is maybe 40 years.

Is there some sort of perverted satisfaction in being barbaric to barbarians?

I've been trying to understand the answer to this my whole life.

Edited October 20, 2006 by mybackpages

[gabby4ever 1]

in pakistan those people would suffer a hanging.

yes rape is punishable by death!

they know what they're doing

yeah sure steven, lets free all the lunatics out there and then maybe they'll kill all the amish people and all the children ....and all the innocent ones.....they will do the world some good, as its over populated already...what do you say??

gimme a break....

i know the bible says its wrong, but weirdos like that deserve no mercy....and even the electric chair is not punishment enough for what they've done.

[mybackpages 0]

yeah sure steven, lets free all the lunatics out there and then maybe they'll kill all the amish people and all the children ....and all the innocent ones.....they will do the world some good, as its over populated already...what do you say??

gimme a break....

i know the bible says its wrong, but weirdos like that deserve no mercy....and even the electric chair is not punishment enough for what they've done.

Why is it if you take a stand against the death penalty, then you are in favor of letting everyone get off free without punishment? Like you are a supporter of mass murder and horrific crimes?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

yeah sure steven, lets free all the lunatics out there and then maybe they'll kill all the amish people and all the children ....and all the innocent ones.....they will do the world some good, as its over populated already...what do you say??

gimme a break....

i know the bible says its wrong, but weirdos like that deserve no mercy....and even the electric chair is not punishment enough for what they've done.

Who said let set them free? It's not about being soft or merciful, but about upholding your values of decency and civility. What does killing them do for you? I'm honestly asking because I don't get why people act as if it's satisfying to put to death anyone.

There's something very perverse about that.

Edited October 20, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[gabby4ever 1]

that is just my opinion.

all i have to think of is my son or husband...if someone would kill them and then walks free cause he pretended he was friggin insane and didnt know what he was doin....then i would hunt them down myself with the risk of going to prison ....that being said, i agree with the death penalty because i think of those helpless children / people there and there's no one who can do justice for them...we all think about the poor murderers. where's the justice for the ones who died??? the innocent ones?? people spend 40 years in prison and they walk free...and the justice is where exactly??? some of them have it better in prisons than they 've had it on the outside so....there is no excuse for someone who killed another human being...and even if we're not God, they still deserve to taste a little of what they've done...