Ok, I just heard on the news that Scott Perterson is # 644 on the list waiting on lethal injection. Does that mean that there are 644 people on death row now ? Do they only use lethal injection these days ?
I will tell you now that I do not believe in the death penalty. But since it is real, I have another question.
Why is a death row inmate on death row for so many years, before they are put to death?

A death row inmate is on death row for so many years, as they go through an appeals process, to try and have there death sentence overturned to life. They are allowed to appeal there sentences within the state and federal courts, and when the appeals are exhausted, an execution warrent is signed.

The lethal injection is the main method used for execution, though some states have other options (that sounds awful, options to death). Softheart made a thread in execution watch, stating the states methods, you can find that here.
http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62752

There are thousands of people on death row (Perhaps someone can tell you the actual number), I cant think on the top of my head. I guess maybe, when it says #644 for Scott Peterson, it could mean thats how many are on death row in California before him. It doesnt mean that there are that many before him that are going to be executed. It depends on their appeals processes, etc.

A death row inmate is on death row for so many years, as they go through an appeals process, to try and have there death sentence overturned to life. They are allowed to appeal there sentences within the state and federal courts, and when the appeals are exhausted, an execution warrent is signed.

The lethal injection is the main method used for execution, though some states have other options (that sounds awful, options to death). Softheart made a thread in execution watch, stating the states methods, you can find that here.
http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62752

There are thousands of people on death row (Perhaps someone can tell you the actual number), I cant think on the top of my head. I guess maybe, when it says #644 for Scott Peterson, it could mean thats how many are on death row in California before him. It doesnt mean that there are that many before him that are going to be executed. It depends on their appeals processes, etc.
Thank you so much Kyla, also just curious as to what happens if a death row inmate doesn't want to go through any of the appeals prosess ? Do they go ahead with his execution ?
I'm sure that is rare, but I'm sure there are inmates whom would just rather just get it over with too.
Thanx again :)

There are several inmates that waive their appeals and volunteer execution. They drop all there appeals, and a court will issue an execution warrant. I believe its state suicide. :(

Shouldn't the condemned inmate be allowed to make that choice? After all, they are the one that is enduring the wait and rot conditions on DR. If they've made their peace with God, and I think that's why society gives these fellow humans years of appeals before imposing the sentence bestowed upon them by a jury of their peers, then death is only death of the flesh, and it's the beginning of life in the kingdom of glory. May God bless us all.

Ok, I just heard on the news that Scott Perterson is # 644 on the list waiting on lethal injection. Does that mean that there are 644 people on death row now ? Do they only use lethal injection these days ?
I will tell you now that I do not believe in the death penalty. But since it is real, I have another question.
Why is a death row inmate on death row for so many years, before they are put to death?
yes that is exactly what it means. there are 644 inmates on death row right now! lethal injection is the most common that is used to execute an inmate. they inject the inmate with 3 medications, one to force the inmate into a heart attack, one that numbs his body so that he cant move or scream, it basically shuts his body down and the 3rd medication gives the inmate a burning sensation thru the body. inmates are on death row so ling before they die because they go thru appeal processes which take years at each stage while the cases get investigated. and remember that not every inmate on death row gets executed. it really just depends on the circumstances.