WHAT METHODS ARE USED FOR EXECUTION?
Over the course of history, a wide range of methods have been used to execute people. In mediaeval times people were usually decapitated by sword or the guillotine. Offenders who had committed political crimes were drawn and quartered. In the United States during the witch-hunts, thousands of women were burned at the stake. In modern times though, these methods were seen as too violent, or cruel. In Canada, most offenders were hung. In the United States there are various methods that are used to kill offenders: (i) Lethal injection – the offender is strapped to a bed and a lethal drug, such as cyanide, is injected into their bloodstream. (ii) Electric Chair – the offender is strapped to a large chair. Conductors are placed around the offender’s head and wrists. The offender is killed when a large amount of electricity is passed through his or her body. (iii) Gas Chamber – The offender is strapped into a large air-tight chamber. A deadly mixture of chemicals is slowly released into the
