A plea from Florida`s death watch

from Gerald E. Stano

3/1-98

Gerald E. Stano is sitting on death watch in Florida Prison to wait for execution, scheduled 24th March - 1998.

Governor Chiles of Florida has signed his death warrant to be executed in the same chair as was used when Pedro Medina was executed in 1997, when flames errupted from the chair.

Florida Supreme Court still finds this chair a human execution method.

What we in Scandinavia finds inhuman, Florida continues.

Gerald (Jerry) is going through a rough time now. Aside from the warrant his 84 year old father suffered a stroke and is in a rehab. He was not allowed to see his father. His 80 year old mother is again scheduled for surgery on Jan 23rd. Thus, he has absolutely no visits.

Gerald E. Stano here writes a personal message via one of his friends and want this to be told to the people in Europe:

This will tell you what happens after the governor signs a death warrant We thank Jerry for being kind enough to sit and write this out as we know he is in pain over his parents.

Jerry is 46 years old and has been on death row for roughly 16 years.

"Death watch starts by being called to the Assistent Superintendent`s office where, he tells you: The Governor has set your execution date.

He then says: "You may make two phone calls compliments of the State, right here.

The calls are:

1) Your lawyer

2) Your family

After the calls are completed, you are escorted down the long hallway, to the last wing in the building ( X-Wing ). You are taken to the first floor where there are 6 cells ( 3 on each side ). They put you in one of these cells, and you await your property and television.

Your property is taken to the property room here, where it is inventoried and x-rayed. Then it is brought to you and you can start to put things in order.

Now, you are on PHASE 1 of Death Watch. You may have all of your property and television in your cell at that time. You are also allowed to make 2 social calls. ( 10 minutes each ), and unlimited calls to your lawyer ( 15 minutes each )

Your visits with your family on Death Watch are no contact (behind glass), but your legal visits are contact. You get canteen every day.

Phase II is the last 7 days of your warrant. At that time, all of your property comes out of your cell. Plus, you have an officer sitting in front of your cell 24 hours a day keeping a log sheet on you every 15-30 minutes. While on this PHASE II, the kitchen comes down to your cell and asks you what you want for your last meal. Then the laundry department comes down to your cell and measures you for your execution suit.

About 2 1/2 hours before execution, your last meal is brought to you, and your suit is hanging up at the Sgt`s desk.

PHASE III is where you have a " Stay " of execution. At that time, all of your property and television are put back into your cell, and no more officer sitting in front of you 24 hours a day. You may also receive contact visits, package permits ( Hobby and Legal ) and recreation.

But on PHASE III you must be kept separated from regular death row inmates because you have a continous death warrant now. ( This came into effect Jan. 1997 ...... a warrant does not expire. )

Now, what I have described to you here, I been through 6 times already. If you would like to have more information about Death Watch - Phases 1-2-3, you can write me at:

Gerald E. Stano #079701

Florida State Prison

P.O. Box 181, X-2103-S

Starke

Florida 32091

I would appreciate if you could, also, include a few stamps for me.

Thank you very much.

Jerry

You may write to Jerry by mail or to this email

Do you want to protest

against the execution of

Gerald E. Stano?

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