Question / Answers sheet for Ask Death Row section

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- What is your typical day like on Death Row? - Barbara from Pennsylvania

- How does being sperated from your family affect you? - Sam from Michigan

- Are death row inmates allowed to have sexual relations while in prison? I've heard/read stories about rapes and other sexual activities between inmates in prison. - Laura, Slat Lake City, Utah

- What types of religious activities are you allowed to participate in on death row? Are there any chapels services where group worship is allowed? - Rev. Jimmy Lee Burnhart, Jackson, Mississippi

- How does the staff who work on death row treat the prisoners? - Christy from Pine Bluff, Arkansas

- How long have you been on death row? How do you keep from going crazy in there? - Roger Timbleson, 14 years old, Phoenix, AZ

- How do you deal with the isolation of death row? - Brenda from Grand rapids, MI

- What is the food like in prison? Do you eat your meals with other inmates? - Diana from Long Beach, CA

- Are death row inmates allowed to have contact visits with their family and friends? Are their visits different when they are close to an execution date? - Debbie from Binger, Oklahoma

- I have several questions dealing with a death row inmate's last meal. What are they allowed to order? Who cooks the food? Can they order from a fastfood outlet or restaurant? If so, what is the amount of money they are allowed to spend on the meal and who pays for it? - Lt. William Landcaster U.S. retired Chicago, III.

- Question for Richard Stitt. Are your two sons aware that their father may be executed? Do you have an execution date? Why does America still use capital punishment while most western countries don't? Donna, UK

Answers to the above questions

- What is your typical day like on Death Row? - Barbara from Pennsylvania

Dear Barbara from Pennsylvania ,

My name is Dustin Honken and I am a prisoner here on Federal Death Row. My typical day begins at 6:00 AM when I wake up. The officers come around shortly thereafter and serve us breakfast in our cells (all meals are eaten in our cells). I eat breakfast and turn on the television to “VH1” to listen to music videos. While I am listening to the videos I usually pace back and forth in my cell for a while. After a bit of pacing I usually sit down and do some writing (either letters or in my journals). If I am caught up on my writing then I will read. About 9:00 AM I lay back down for about an hour. Lunch is served around 10:30 AM. I eat lunch and then read or write for a couple more hours.

At 2:00PM I usually watch “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (unless I’ve seen it before). They show three shows back to back so I watch those until dinner is served (which is about 4:30 PM). If the Star Trek is a return then I do some pushups and squats for awhile at an easy pace if I haven’t already worked out that day at recreation. After I eat dinner I usually watch the news on CNN or PBS for an hour or so. If a good movie is on that night I’ll watch it or continue to read or write some more.

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- How does being sperated from your family affect you? - Sam from Michigan

Dear Sam from Michigan ,

My name is Dustin Honken and I am a prisoner here on Federal Death Row. I have been asked to respond to your question because I have been in prison for ten years now and I have considerable family ties.

The biggest punishment for me without a doubt in regards to the whole prison thing is being separated from my children, my family. I constantly worry something bad will happen to one of my family members. No matter what traumatic situation would happen I would never be able to be there for them. The Bureau of Prisons will not allow prisoners in my position to attend funerals, or any family tragedy, no matter what set of conditions are presented. It would be lucky for me to even get an emergency phone call to a dying relative. It is a constant weight on my mind to know I cannot be there for a loved one, or to even be able to say goodbye to someone passing away.

Also, I have to watch my children grow up through pictures. I hardly know my children because I have been in prison most of their lives. I talk to them on the telephone every so often and regularly write them but that is not nearly enough to get to really know them. I have no control over their up-bringing, and very minimal ability to teach them the things that I think they should know. I cannot hug them in reassurance in times of sorrow nor embrace them in happiness during times of triumph. Separation from my loved ones is indeed a most terrible punishment to bear, and I do so bear it every moment of every day. I hope this answers your question.

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- Are death row inmates allowed to have sexual relations while in prison? I've heard/read stories about rapes and other sexual activities between inmates in prison. - Laura, Slat Lake City, Utah

Dear Laura,

The Federal Bureau of prisons does not allow any of its inmate population the privilege of conjugal visitation. In fact, all inmate sexual activity is prohibited regardless of where or with whom it is performed. Yet, there are the adventurous few whom attempt, or actually manage to engage in, homosexual or hetero sexual relations with their visitors, B.O.P. staff members, or fellow prisoners. However, for prisoners on Federal Death Row there is no opportunity for any such sexual activity involving others. Death row prisoners are housed in solitary cells and accommodated with only non-contact visitation with all but their attorneys. And, with cameras in the visiting booths and a correctional officer observing the visitation conduct from just outside the booth's window, you can imagine that even with a willing attorney any type of sexual contact is impossible. The good thing about such pervasive and absolute segregation from other inmates is that one doesn't have to live in perpetual fear nor need be constantly vigilant against the possibility of rape, assault, robbery, or any other cruel acts. No Laura, prison is not an enjoyable experience nor even an easy one for medium or maximum security inmates. Nevertheless, sometimes the very conditions that strip away your limited freedoms affords you the peace and safety which allow you the opportunity to improve yourself and seek atonement for a life in which you are ashamed of having lived. Indeed there is much more to life than mere sexual relations.

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- What types of religious activities are you allowed to participate in on death row? Are there any chapels services where group worship is allowed? - Rev. Jimmy Lee Burnhart, Jackson, Mississippi

Dear Rev. Burnhart,

Recently we were informed that all group religious services had been terminated for death row prisoners here. The Warden and Supervisory Chaplain expressed concerns about the projected increase of the death row prisoner population. The prison administrations stated reason for cancelling our religious services is that they lack enough chaplains to conduct services both in this unit (death row unit) and the general population units (non-death units). They also state an increased staff need for security operations, among other things, and so have decided that our religious/spiritual needs can be met via closed-circuit Television broadcasts which utilize VHS tapes and DVD's from the chapel library. However, we are still waiting for this program to commence. It has been a very long wait considering that we have had exactly one church service (Christmas service) since our arrival at this new facility in July of 2005. Before July of 2005 I believe our last service was Easter of 20Q5. And, sadly, the chaplains do not have the time to visit with us like the popular movies and TV programs have erroneously portrayed the prisoner/chaplain relationship to be. We rarely see our chaplains any more. When we do see our chaplains they are so pressed for time that they cannot say much more than "God Bless You" before moving on quickly" to the next prisoner. With church TV as our new fellowship, we live the vicarious lives of the cloistered and condemned.

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- How does the staff who work on death row treat the prisoners? - Christy from Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hi Christy,

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- How long have you been on death row? How do you keep from going crazy in there? - Roger Timbleson, 14 years old, Phoenix, AZ

Hi Roger,

I have been on death row since February 9, 2004, just over two years. That question was easy enough to answer. Your second question - How do I keep from going nuts in here - might not be as easy to answer because depending on who you ask, they might contend that I have already went there... but what do we care about what they think!!!

First of all, one of your worst days out there is probably still better than my best day in here. This place sucks big time. I am locked down just about all of the time, with the exception of three times a week for two hours of recreation in which I generally spend playing basketball and working-out in an outside cage. But since the cells are ha1fway good size, about 7 X 12 feet , I also workout in my cell three times a week for around an hour and a half each. Beyond that I listen to a lot of heavy metal music blasting out of my headphones from my Walkman, and I read a whole bunch. In fact, I am reading "Rise to Rebellion" right now by Jeff Shaar. It is an excellent book about the American Revolution. I also write a lot. I write short stories and articles on things I am passionate about. I just finished writing something which will be going on to the website sometime next week if you want to read it. A lot of my focus Roger is on my family. I have a beautiful daughter and three great grandkids she gave me, a real treasure. I write them all the time and also a lady whom is near and dear to my heart. I maintain my belief and faith in God through all of this, not as much as I should but I try. I believe that one of the most important things I have learned in my life is that we all make mistakes, some more serious than others, and when we fall down the important thing is to have the courage to get back up, admit your mistakes and do the best you can thereafter.

You take care Roger. If you have any further questions on anything pertaining to death row or perhaps on other areas such as how a person makes such dire mistakes or things like that do not hesitate to ask. Bye for now. -- By Wesley I. Purkey #14679-045

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- How do you deal with the isolation of death row? - Brenda from Grand rapids, MI

Dear Brenda,

The way I’ve learned to deal with being isolated in here is by reading at least two to three hours a day. I also exercise four or five times per week. This all takes my mind away from thinking negatively and getting stressed out over the things I cannot control. This helps to keep me mentally, physica11y and emotionally strong. It a1so allows me to deal with the everyday pressures which are a part of being on death row. I have many positive conversations with a few of the other people here with me. This is a way of lifting each other up. Knowing that I am innocent makes this situation even harder for me. When all else fails to lift my spirits then I think of my sons, my mother, sisters and my aunt. This usually brings my emotions and my thoughts back into perspective. -- By Richard T. Stitt #50696-083

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- What is the food like in prison? Do you eat your meals with other inmates? - Diana from Long Beach, CA

Dear Diana,

The food here at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute , IN , which houses federal death row, is not usually very good. The meals are oftentimes undercooked, of very small portions (especially the meat which is not enough even for a child), and of low nutritional value. The food would be better if it were cooked properly. I don't eat pork so that makes the situation worse for me as the meat substitutes are usually a small amount of peanut butter, or a single slice of cheese. Primarily the meals served here are of high starch content (e.g. rice, potatoes and pasta). If inmates are fortunate enough to have funds available from the outside then they can purchase food items from the prison commissary (a prison store operated by the institution) to supplement their meals. As to your second question. -- All of our meals are served to us in our cells. We are only allowed out of our cells for limited amounts of exercise/recreation. The food trays are passed from the food cart into the cells through a slot in the doors (a wicket). Food trays come from the institutional kitchen/mess hall in food carts with warmers to keep the food hot. Unfortunately the warmers are oftentimes left unplugged once they reach the unit and our food is served warm, or even cold, but seldom hot. -- By Richard T. Stitt #50696-083

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- Are death row inmates allowed to have contact visits with their family and friends? Are their visits different when they are close to an execution date? - Debbie from Binger, Oklahoma

Dear Debbie,

Federal death row inmates are never allowed physical contact with any of their approved social visitors (e.g. family or friends). Likewise, they are not allowed contact visits with their ministers or clergy visitors. The only contact visits which are permitted are with an inmate's attorneys or legal defense team members. Those visits are allowed upon the request of the attorneys and only if they are willing to sign a form relieving the U.S. Government of all responsibility for their safety. These severe restrictions prohibit even a brief hug or kiss prior to or after a visit. Even inmates visiting their family, children, wife, etc. for the last time prior to being executed are not allowed any physical contact with them. There is absolutely no legitimate reason for this type of restriction upon human contact between a condemned inmate and his visitors. Most states allow for some type of physical contact between visitors and death row inmates.

When one considers that death row units on a whole are same of the most secure prisons known to mankind, and that those units have the least amount of violence and disciplinary problems at or in any maximum security prisons, you are left to ask why are prison officials denying even the slightest human contact. Only one answer comes to mind. It is an attempt to dehumanize the inmate so as to make it easier to execute him. What possible harm could come from allowing human contact between these people? All visits are monitored by an officer and video cameras. What possible security issues could arise that justifies such harsh and barbaric practices? NONE! -- By David Paul Hammer #24507-077, Federal Death Row

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- I have several questions dealing with a death row inmate's last meal. What are they allowed to order? Who cooks the food? Can they order from a fastfood outlet or restaurant? If so, what is the amount of money they are allowed to spend on the meal and who pays for it? - Lt. William Landcaster U.S. retired Chicago, III.

Dear Mr. Landcaster,

My answers to your questions are based upon my personal knowledge and experiences here on Federal death row. I have had four execution dates and on two of those occasions I came within days of being executed. The procedures and protocols governing a condemned inmate's last meal varies from one, jurisdiction to another.

My experiences in this situation are similar to others in state facilities in the U.S. The federal government allows a person to spend $20 dollars on his/her last meal. You are allowed to have your food purchased locally at any type of restaurant. You are also given the option of eating regular prison fare or having food purchased and prepared by the Institution Food Services Supervisor. No tobacco or alcohol products are allowed as part of the last meal. I was required to provide the warden with my choice for a last meal one week in advance of my scheduled execution. I opted to have food purchased locally and prepared by food services. My most recent last meal order consisted of the following: four 1/2 lb cheeseburgers, tator tots, fried breaded okra, pork n-beans, a whole onion, 12 donuts, ice cream, and a large bottle of Diet Coke (I like the taste of it although I am now a Diet Pepsi drinker). The $20 is paid by the institution. Even if an inmate has his own funds and wants to spend more on his last meal he is not allowed to do so. Most states do not have a limit on the amount which can be spent on a death row inmate's last meal provided the requests are reasonable. The state of California allows its condemned inmates to spend up to $50 on a last meal. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice which maintains records of all Texas prison inmates including those who have been executed in that state has the last meal requests of those men/women posted on their website. There seems to be an almost morbid fascination between the media, the public, and prison officials over the last meal to be eaten by those being executed. -- By David Paul Hammer #24507-077

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- Question for Richard Stitt. Are your two sons aware that their father may be executed? Do you have an execution date? Why does America still use capital punishment while most western countries don't? Donna, UK

Well Donna – to answer your questions… My boys are aware of my situation. And they understand it’s a possibility I could be executed… if I don’t win my appeals. This is an extremely tough and delicate situation to be placed on my 13 yr olds. I know it has affected both of them (mentally and emotionally). This was a very delicate subject to talk to them about. Once they became teenagers I felt they deserved to know the truth, so I told them.

No, I do not have an execution date. My death sentences were thrown out last year. I’m waiting on the courts to set me a new court date. I’ll be going back to trial, and face the jury all over again. – Since I’m a innocent man, hopefully this time around I won’t get the death sentence and will not have to deal with this situation any longer…

My personal opinion is that this country ( America ) uses it as a political tool. So that the politicians running for office can say; “we’re tough on crime.” And we’re going to get revenge back on people who commit crimes against others. The problem is the way its given to people. When you’re from a minority and the lower class, the chances of getting a death sentence is 95% higher. If you take a look around the country, what kinds of people are on death row? The majority of them is from a minority, uneducated and belongs to the lower class… Race plays an issue. And if you look at the white guys, most are also from the lower class, and just like the minorities, they are often uneducated and had a poor representation prior and during trial from their court appointed lawyers. So, the death sentence is given out unfairly in the State’s and federal justice system. The prosecutors make their careers by getting the majority of the people convicted, and so do the law enforcement officers. The way the jury is selected and all I’ve stated above, it’s clearly a no win situation for the defendant. I’m speaking from my point of being innocent. The system needs a overhaul all together!

I hope that my response answered your questions, and that you have gained more insight. Take care, Richard Stitt.  

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