More than 2,500 people sit in American cells, knowing they are destined to die.
In Florida, not far from Disney World and other popular destinations for thousands of UK tourists, 329 people wait to meet their fate.
One day, unless they are reprieved, their execution will be carried out by a member of the public who will be paid $150.
Until then what are their lives like?
They live in solitary cells and are not allowed to mix with other inmates, even others on death row.
Their cells are 6ft by 9 ft x 9.5 ft high. They are served meals three times a day at 5am, 11am and 4:30pm. The food is taken from a heated cart and given to them on a tray. They are supplied with a plastic spork (a spoon/fork) to eat with.
Every hour a guard peers into their cell. When they leave it they are always escorted and put in handcuffs. These are taken off only when they are allowed to shower – every other day – or to visit an exercise area.
Inmates can receive mail every day except holidays and weekends. They may have snacks, radios and 13-inch televisions in their cells which broadcast a local TV channel, and religious services from inside the prison. There is no air-conditioning. Strictly controlled visitors and phone calls are permitted.
They are made to wear orange t-shirts so they can be distinguished from other prisoners but wear the same blue trousers as those not destined to die.
The average age death row inmates are sentenced to die is 27. It normally takes 22 years (at a cost of $24million to keep them locked up) before the execution actually takes place.
When the appeals process finally ends, the state governor can sign a death warrant. In federal cases, the President must do it.
Inmates are then moved to death watch cells, which are slightly bigger. Their radios and televisions are now positioned outside their cell bars.
Read the full story in Daily Star
