DEATH ROW FACT SHEET

General Facts
The Daily Routine of Death Row Inmates
Statistics
List of Inmates Currently Sentenced to Death
Prior Executions

 

General Facts

Date the Death Penalty was reenacted after Furman: March 29, 1974.

Method of execution:
Prior to 1986, the method of execution in Delaware was hanging. Bill Bailey was the last inmate hanged in Delaware. His hanging took place on January 25, 1996. Prior to that, the last hanging in Delaware took place in 1946. In June 1986, the Delaware General Assembly enacted legislation that required lethal injection be the method of execution in Delaware. The law also stipulated that persons sentenced to death prior to the enactment of the law be given the choice of choosing their method of execution (either hanging or lethal injection). In April 1994, Governor Thomas R. Carper signed into law legislation (Senate Bill #57) that mandates executions be carried out between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.

First executed inmate: John Turck on October 19, 1662.
The executioner is a volunteer who remains anonymous.

The Daily Routine of Inmates Sentenced to the Death Penalty

Housing: Male inmates sentenced to the death penalty are housed at the Delaware Correctional Center near Smyrna, Delaware. Currently, there are 19 men sentenced to death in Delaware. Female inmates sentenced to the death penalty are housed at the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution in New Castle, Delaware. Currently, there are no women sentenced to death in Delaware.  

Cells: The housing unit cell is approximately 13 feet long, 7 feet wide and 8 feet high. Cells have a metal-framed bunk with a mattress, a stainless steel sink & toilet, a desk, a locker and a television through which programming is delivered. 

Meals: Inmates sentenced to the death penalty are served three meals a day: at 5:30 a.m., at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. Food is prepared by the Department's Food Services personnel, is transported in insulated carts to the cells, and eaten by the inmates in their cells. Meals are served on insulated dishware made of polypropylene. Inmates are given a plastic utensil called a spork (a spoon/fork combination). All meals meet recommended daily dietary requirements as directed by the USDA. Prior to execution, the inmate may request a final meal. Every attempt is made to fulfill the final meal request by the Institution.

Visitors: Delaware Correctional Center Security must approve all individuals wishing to visit an inmate sentenced to the death penalty. Inmates under sentence of death may receive one visit per week. Visits must be scheduled during the week prior to the requested day/time of visit. To reserve a visit, call one of the following numbers:

• Inmate's last name begins with A to J - 1-800-282-8602
• Inmate's last name begins with K to Z - 1-800-722-0252
• Out of state callers - 1-302-653-4828

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Media Interviews: Members of the news media may request an interview with an inmate sentenced to the death penalty by contacting the Office of Media Relations at 302-739-5601 ext. 232. The inmate must agree to the interview. Delaware Correctional Center officials reserve the right to deny media access to any inmate for security reasons. Photographs of death row inmates may be permitted if the offender consents and if approved by the Warden. 

Showers and Exercise: Inmates sentenced to the death penalty are permitted to shower and exercise up to four times a week. Recreation takes place in either an enclosed area within the housing unit or in an outdoor area just off the housing unit. Staff assign the recreation area (inside or outside) on a rotational basis.

Security: Inmates sentenced to the death penalty are escorted in restraints, which are worn everywhere except in their cells, in exercise areas and in the shower. Restraints are removed upon arrival to the assigned destination. Death row inmates are in their cells at all times except for medical appointments, exercise, social or legal visits, media interviews, and other meetings/appointments. After an execution date has been set, the Warden determines when the inmate is moved to the holding cell in the execution building. The inmate receives visits and telephone calls as approved by the Warden.

Mail, Magazines and Entertainment: Inmates may receive mail every day that the U.S. Post Office is open. They may have 12 personal letters, legal mail, one newspaper, two magazines, two books, up to 12 photos (not pornographic), a Bible or Koran and up to $35 worth of commissary items. Inmates are allowed television and radio privileges. They are not permitted to be in a common area with each other. In-cell, closed-circuit television delivers treatment, religious, and educational programming.

Commissary: Inmates sentenced to the death penalty are allowed to purchase commissary items once a week, totaling up to $35.

Clothing: Inmates sentenced to the death penalty wear one-piece orange jumpsuits and white slip-on sneakers.

Treatment Services: Correctional counselors and Chaplaincy staff are assigned to work with the inmates sentenced to the death penalty. Medical and mental health services are available within the housing unit. 

Cost: It costs approximately $66 per day to incarcerate an inmate sentenced to the death penalty in Delaware. 

Public witnesses to executions: The Delaware Department of Correction does not allow members of the public to serve as witnesses to executions.

Statistics

The following statistics have been compiled from data collected within the Delaware Department of Correction. For more information on the inmates sentenced to the death penalty in Delaware, go to the Inmates Sentenced to the Death Penalty Roster.

• Male inmates sentenced to the death penalty are housed at the Delaware Correctional Center just north of Smyrna, Delaware. nineteen men are currently sentenced to death. Female inmates sentenced to death are housed at the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution in New Castle, Delaware.
• 7.8 years is the average length of time between conviction and execution.
• 33 1/2 years is the average age of the inmates sentenced to the death penalty.
• 30 years is the average age at the time of execution.
• The youngest inmate sentenced to the death penalty:

  Craig Zebroski
  DOB 9/6/77
  Sentenced to death on 8/18/97 for first-degree murder.

• Inmates who have been sentenced to death the longest:

  1. Robert A. Gattis
     Sentenced to death on 10/29/92
  2. Jermaine M. Wright
     Sentenced to death on 10/29/92

• There are no juveniles sentenced to death in Delaware.
  
  

Executions each year since the reinstatement of the death penalty in Delaware in 1991

Inmates Sentenced to Death in Delaware

Executions in Delaware since 1992

Last Updated: Tuesday, 26-Feb-2008 16:10:21 EST