TDCJ Execution Procedure

[Joy]

I did not know that the TDCJ execution proceedure was public knowledge and happen to come across it on the web. Interesting reading........

_______

ADOPTION OF EXECUTION PROCEDARE
In my duties as Division Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, I hereby adopt the
attached Execution Procedure for use in the operation of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice Death Row housing units and perimeter functions. This Procedure is in compliance with
Texas Board of Criminal Justice Rule $152.51; $$a92.013(a), 493.004, Texas Government Code,
and Article 43.14 - 43.20, Code of Criminal Procedure. The current changes to the written
procedure are made to reflect actual practice when that actual practice has not been part of these
written procedures. The majority of changes incorporate no substantive change to our actual
practice.


dated 5/30/2008 by Nathaniel Quarterman, Director, Correctional Institutions Division

http://www.executionwatch.org/docs/E...reTDCJ2008.pdf

[Joy]

I found this part of the procedure interesting:

"VIII. Employee participants in the Execution Process shall not be identified or their names
released to the public. They shall receive an orientation with the Huntsville, Goree,
Polunsky, or Mountain View Unit Wardens, who shall inform the employees of the TDCJ
Post Trauma Staff Support Program (AD-06.64). The employees shall be encouraged to
contact the Regional Post Trauma Team Coordinator following the initial participation in
the execution process."

I wonder how many people on the "execution" team has needed Post Trauma counseling? Is it me, or does anyone else see the irony in this?

[DaveMoff]

Perfectly grisly, to be sure. That precise, clinical language, in utterly avoiding emotion, communicates a peculiarly cold terror of which many of the masters of horror fiction might be envious. As well as relieved, for their writings are fiction....

I, too, have to wonder how many of the "team" end up needing counseling. My understanding is that they are chosen from a list of volunteers....surely none can truly know 100% what they are getting into until the appointed time arrives.

Then again, I am reminded of a figure from history, an ordinary man who worked in an ordinary office as a designer and draftsman. One day he went into his office, tacked a fresh piece of paper on his drawing board, and carefully designed a shower head which was specially made to carry gas instead of water. His name is known, because he was so proud of his work that he signed it.

When we wander into the area of deliberately inflicted death, we wander near some very dark places indeed....and the deepest darkness does not always lie where one might at first expect to discover it.

[Daywalker]

I wonder how many on the team understand they are committing state sanctioned homicide, and that is how it is listed on the death certificate?

[lisainengland]

I would have thought that every single one of the "team" needs counselling. I will never understamd how they could do it or live with their consciences afterwards !!!

[boogerfling]

Originally Posted by lisainengland

I would have thought that every single one of the "team" needs counselling. I will never understamd how they could do it or live with their consciences afterwards !!!

Aren't you being a little bit judgemental?

Just like the fact that you are anti-death penalty, some may disagree with you. They might take part due to their views or they might just want to "help." Some might continue and some might only do it once and never volunteer to take part again for whatever reason.

I imagine that you and many others don't like it when people are judgemental to your pals on DR. If you don't like it, don't do it to others. You don't know each officer that participates on the tie down teams, just like many don't know your inmate. They are following the law.

[pj663]

Originally Posted by boogerfling

Aren't you being a little bit judgemental?

Just like the fact that you are anti-death penalty, some may disagree with you. They might take part due to their views or they might just want to "help." Some might continue and some might only do it once and never volunteer to take part again for whatever reason.

I imagine that you and many others don't like it when people are judgemental to your pals on DR. If you don't like it, don't do it to others. You don't know each officer that participates on the tie down teams, just like many don't know your inmate. They are following the law.

Please keep in mind PTO is neither a Pro or Anti DP site. We are, however, PRO-prisoner and PRO-prisoners' families and loved ones. There is no debating and or passing judgment on anyone. Blessings.

[Joolz]

Originally Posted by boogerfling

Aren't you being a little bit judgemental?

Just like the fact that you are anti-death penalty, some may disagree with you. They might take part due to their views or they might just want to "help." Some might continue and some might only do it once and never volunteer to take part again for whatever reason.

I imagine that you and many others don't like it when people are judgemental to your pals on DR. If you don't like it, don't do it to others. You don't know each officer that participates on the tie down teams, just like many don't know your inmate. They are following the law.

Personally I think it is completely normal to consider the effects of participating in the death of a human being. As a student nurse I lie awake often questioning my treatment of a patient or sadness at ones who have died. I dont understand why u thought it was negative to question this, because it is a caring attitude to the feelings of those who are employed to do something that our whole lives we believe is wrong - kill a person.

Yes, they may be following the law, but what law is that? one made by humans, a decision made by humans to kill another within the law, I do feel that these people should be offered counselling to deal with it.

[Joy]

I've often wondered why there is so much cloak and dagger around executions when it is suppoed to be "legal"? If it is legal, then why not be told who is on the execution team? I have always been told that if you have to do something in secret, then it is probably the wrong thing to be doing.....

[DaveMoff]

I do not think it judgmental to speculate whether anyone involved directly in an execution might require counseling afterward. Seeing a counselor is not a sign of "weakness" or "illness", and certainly should not be seen as having any social stigma. To be sure, any number of people use phrases like "did you take your meds today?" or "go whine to your therapist" as insults. Such people tend to come from a certain part of the political spectrum which I think most will recognize though I will not name it.

It is worth noting that the vast majority of military personnel receive a lengthy series of counseling sessions under the euphemism of "debriefing" after returning from combat. At least 25% of servicepeople returning from the Middle East are estimated to have some degree of PTSD, and a need for counseling--far more have problems than receive any sort of support.

A combat soldier or marine may indeed use deadly force, usually in a "kill or be killed" situation. The psychological dynamics are far different, and potentially far more disturbing, when anyone leaves his or her home one day and proceeds to quietly and in cold blood kill someone who is strapped to a table, usually in another room.

Purely as a rhetorical question: how would one regard the mindset of a serial murderer who performed the same act without first being given permission by the state? Furthermore, are we to accept "I only obeyed orders" as grounds for moral absolution? If so, we tread in dangerous waters indeed.

[Joy]

Dave, the only thing I've got to say about your post is --- WOW!

Originally Posted by DaveMoff

I do not think it judgmental to speculate whether anyone involved directly in an execution might require counseling afterward. Seeing a counselor is not a sign of "weakness" or "illness", and certainly should not be seen as having any social stigma. To be sure, any number of people use phrases like "did you take your meds today?" or "go whine to your therapist" as insults. Such people tend to come from a certain part of the political spectrum which I think most will recognize though I will not name it.

It is worth noting that the vast majority of military personnel receive a lengthy series of counseling sessions under the euphemism of "debriefing" after returning from combat. At least 25% of servicepeople returning from the Middle East are estimated to have some degree of PTSD, and a need for counseling--far more have problems than receive any sort of support.

A combat soldier or marine may indeed use deadly force, usually in a "kill or be killed" situation. The psychological dynamics are far different, and potentially far more disturbing, when anyone leaves his or her home one day and proceeds to quietly and in cold blood kill someone who is strapped to a table, usually in another room.

Purely as a rhetorical question: how would one regard the mindset of a serial murderer who performed the same act without first being given permission by the state? Furthermore, are we to accept "I only obeyed orders" as grounds for moral absolution? If so, we tread in dangerous waters indeed.

[lisainengland]

Thanks Dave exactly what I would like to say but you put it so much better

[mammastalkin]

Excellent post Dave. I would add that most of our family and friends have come to understand their crimes and are terribly sorry for what they have done.

[eswitch]

i am rather new to these threads, my apologies if I am too forward and say.... Dave...you are such a showoff!!..lol....keep it up....i have my dictionary ready at all times now...Great Post

[yourself]

I don't have 15 posts yet, but I think this might be a bit insightful. if you get rid of the spaces I had to put in so that I could post it.
http: //blog.amnestyusa. org/deathpenalty/former-executioner-opposes-death-penalty-expansion/

Historically, executioners in Europe and elsewhere, were in a family business. Because of their status within society, they were exempted from certain laws, like those restricting marriage to cousins, service in the military, etc. So, there's an historic aspect to the pariah status of an executioner. Considering the ire aroused by the death penalty, it is only natural for the state to try to protect those participating in the process. The executioner him/herself can always choose to break this anonymity.

I read one document a long while ago about a man who participated in this process. He did it because he didn't want the person about to be executed to have to experience the absolute hatred that some officers had for these men. He, and he felt the rest of the execution squad, were chosen not because they wanted to kill people, but because of some sense of compassion for the condemned. Of course, that compassion is limited; most jurisdictions choose the execution squad from members of the DOC who don't have daily contact with the men and women. It is apparently much easier to kill somebody you don't know than somebody you know, and who knows you.

I am glad that these people are afforded counseling. I just wish they offered counseling to everybody else, especially the families of those who are executed.