Executions recommenced in Florida in 1979 when John Spenkelink became the inaugural Death Row convict to be put to death under the new statutes. In 1976, the Supreme Court overturned its decision in Furman and confirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty in the Gregg vs. Georgia case. Nonetheless, following the Furman verdict, the Florida Legislature amended the death penalty statutes in anticipation of the Court reinstating capital punishment in the future. Consequently, the death sentences of 95 men and one woman on Florida’s Death Row were commuted to life imprisonment. In that instance, the Court declared that capital punishment was unconstitutional and invalidated state death penalty laws nationwide. The Furman vs. Georgia case was resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 1972.
Means of Execution:Output: Methods of Carrying Out Punishment:
Counties used to perform executions, typically through hanging, before electrocution was designated by the Florida Legislature as the official method of execution. The previous seat was crafted by prisoners using oak in 1923. The electric chair with three legs was constructed using oak by personnel from the Department of Corrections in 1998 and was placed at Florida State Prison (FSP) in Raiford in 1999. Florida carries out executions through lethal injection or the electric chair at the execution chamber situated at Florida State Prison. In January 2000, the Florida Legislature enacted a law that permits lethal injection as an alternative means of execution in Florida.
Please review the protocol for lethal injection here.
Please review the Protocol for Electrocution here.
Initial Convicted Prisoner:
From May 1964 to May 1979 and in 1929, Florida did not carry out any capital punishments. On October 7, 1924, Frank Johnson became the inaugural convict to be put to death in Florida’s electric chair.
The Executioner:.
A private individual who receives $150 for each execution is allowed to keep their identity confidential according to state law.
Witnesses:.
The Florida Association of Broadcasters and the Florida Press Association depend on the selection of 10 out of the 12 journalists who can observe an execution. Reporters from the press have the authority to choose five reporters, while the Florida Association of Broadcasters can designate five TV/radio reporters. The Associated Press and the Florida Radio Network representatives are reserved for the remaining two spots. A news organization that covers the county where the convicted inmate committed the crime for which they received the death penalty must appoint one reporter from the Florida Press Association’s team. Additional information regarding this can be found in the DC policy (FAC 33.104.203).
Cells for Death Row and Death Watch:
The women on Death Row are housed in Annex Lowell at High FL Lowell. The men on Death Row are housed in Union Correctional Institution at FL Raiford. The Death Watch cell measures 8.5 x 7 x 12. Prison State Florida has Death Watch cells to incarcerate inmates awaiting execution after the Governor signs a death warrant. The Death Row cell measures 9.5 x 9 x 6.
Meals:.
Locally acquired and valued at no exceed $40, the nourishment to assemble the final feast might be asked for by a detainee preceding execution. Detainees devour from the given plate and are given sporks with their suppers. The cells are moved in protected trucks by jail staff and the nourishment is arranged by them. Dinners are given three times each day on Death Row: at 5:00 am, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am, and from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Visitors:.
Visitation for all inmates must be approved before visitors are allowed. The responsible Classification Officer should be directed to handle special visits and visiting hours for the inmate. Any questions regarding the inmate’s visiting day(s) should be sent by telephone, e-mail, or letter. Media members may request interviews with Death Row inmates through the Department of Corrections’ Office of Communications at (850) 488-0420. The interview with the inmate will be non-contact, and the inmate must agree to the interview.
Showers:.
The prisoners have the opportunity to take a shower every second day.
Security:.
Death Row prisoners are tallied at least once every hour. They are accompanied and wear handcuffs everywhere, except for their cells, the exercise yard, and the shower. Unless for medical purposes, physical activity, social or legal visits, or media interviews, they remain confined in their cells continuously. Once a death warrant is authorized, the prisoner is placed on Death Watch status and granted a legal and social telephone conversation.
Mail, Publications & Entertainment:.
Inmates on Death Watch, who are situated outside their cell bars, have the privilege of possessing radios and televisions. They have the opportunity to view religious services through closed circuit television. However, they are prohibited from congregating in a shared area and are deprived of cable television and air-conditioning. Inside their individual cells, they are permitted to keep snacks, radios, and televisions with a screen size of 13 inches. Except on holidays and weekends, inmates are eligible to receive mail on a daily basis.
Clothing:.
Regular prisoners don the identical blue trousers as Death Row prisoners, yet Death Row prisoners can be identified by their orange t-shirts.
Statistics
The following statistics have been compiled from data collected since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, providing specific information on inmates on Florida’s Death Row. For more information on these inmates, please refer to our List of Executions or our List of Death Row.
Data on Executed Convicts in Florida*
*Refers to prisoners executed after the death penalty was reinstated in Florida, starting with the execution of John Spenkelink in May 1979.
From 1980 to 2003, the total number of occurrences for each year is as follows: 104 in 2022, 2000 in 2021, 1999 in 2020, 1998 in 2019, 1997 in 2018, 1996 in 2017, 1995 in 2016, 1994 in 2015, 1993 in 2014, 1992 in 2013, 1991 in 2012, 1990 in 2011, 1989 in 2010, 1988 in 2009, 1987 in 2008, 1986 in 2007, 1985 in 2006, 1984 in 2005, 1983 in 2004, and 1980-82 in 2003.
Death Row Notables
Juveniles:.
During legal proceedings, individuals on Death Row who were under the age of 16 when they committed their crime were treated as adults. It is important to note that there are currently no minors awaiting execution on Death Row.
Two Elderly Death Row Convicts:
Two Most Junior Death Row Prisoners:
The oldest prisoner executed.
Youngest Prisoners Put to Death (all 16 years old):
John Spenkelink, the inmate with the longest tenure on Death Row, was the inaugural prisoner to face capital punishment in Florida following the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. He met his fate on May 25th, 1979.
Please consult the Death Row Roster for the most up-to-date tally of prisoners on Death Row. Visit the Death Row females section for additional details. Judias “Judy” Buenoano made history as the inaugural female to be executed in Florida’s electric chair on March 30, 1998.