Interesting that Jackcity brought up the electric chair. Here is a little tidbit of history that I bet nobody on this board knows. In it's heyday, a couple dozen states used the electric chair. Now, with any execution, there is something called an execution protocol. It's like the playbook for the prison on how it's going to be done. It's very thorough and very detailed, right down to the minute. Regarding electrocution, most would think it would be the same from state to state. Simply stated, one would assume that the condemned would get x volts of electricity for x period of time. That couldn't be further than the truth. There are almost as many "recipies" of electricity and time as there are states. For instance, Georgia used a 3 step process. Off the top of my head, it started at 2000v for 5 seconds, then stepped down to 800 volts for 25 seconds, followed by 200v for 90 seconds. That was considered a cycle. Contrast that with Tennessee, who uses 1750 volts for 30 seconds, then a 5 second wait period, then another 1750v for another 30 seconds. \

 

There are as many different variations as there are states, literally. I may be slightly off on the numbers, but the point is accurate. Almost no 2 states do it the same way. The end result always the same, but is one better (less cruel/painful)  than the others?

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