Death Row

The cell is 8 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 10 feet high. Aside from the condemned inmate who occupies this space, there is also a bed, a toilet, and a small writing table. There is not much room for amenities, not much space for moving around, and not much privacy. This is the typical death row cell, where the condemned await death. For the most part, each inmate spends 23 out of 24 hours a day locked in this cell and is only allowed out for a brief shower and irregular recreation. Much of the schedule depends on the availability of the correctional staff who work on “the row.”

Over time, the concept of isolating those about to be executed has evolved from the Tower ...