For contact visits on death row
There is no law nor paragrah that prohibits body contact before an execution. Each federal state has remitted its own rules to this. Texas prefers to carry out the executions as strictly as possible. Between the prisoner and his visitors is a solid pane, all conversation is being conducted through phone. There is no hug, no kiss from relatives nor friends. Not until after the execution is carried out, when the prisoner is pronounced dead, the relatives and friends are allowed to touch the prisoner. That implies that the family is not allowed to touch the prisoner from the day of the committal until the execution, which can take up to 16 years.
Our opinion is that these rules are inhuman and cruel for relatives. The emotional distress and strain is leading to physical diseases, it is for this reason these rules should be revised and changed. A death sentence is cruel enough. A pending execution even worse. It is not only punishment for the prisoner but the relatives as well. Our opinion is that in consequence of the severe restrictions and bad conditions during incarceration on death row punishment is being performed enough, but it must not the relatives who have nothing to do with the crime get punished and become victims too.
We demand that these rules relating to the non-contact visits before an execution will be abolished in favor of the relatives.
Yours sincerely,
Ilona Leverenz
Director Seal of Solidarity
There is no law nor paragrah that prohibits body contact before an execution. Each federal state has remitted its own rules to this. Texas prefers to carry out the executions as strictly as possible. Between the prisoner and his visitors is a solid pane, all conversation is being conducted through phone. There is no hug, no kiss from relatives nor friends. Not until after the execution is carried out, when the prisoner is pronounced dead, the relatives and friends are allowed to touch the prisoner. That implies that the family is not allowed to touch the prisoner from the day of the committal until the execution, which can take up to 16 years.
Our opinion is that these rules are inhuman and cruel for relatives. The emotional distress and strain is leading to physical diseases, it is for this reason these rules should be revised and changed. A death sentence is cruel enough. A pending execution even worse. It is not only punishment for the prisoner but the relatives as well. Our opinion is that in consequence of the severe restrictions and bad conditions during incarceration on death row punishment is being performed enough, but it must not the relatives who have nothing to do with the crime get punished and become victims too.
We demand that these rules relating to the non-contact visits before an execution will be abolished in favor of the relatives.
