Summary
Former Conservative MP, Michael Portillo pushes his body to the brink of death in an investigation into the science of execution.
As the American Supreme Court examines whether the lethal injection is causing prisoners to die in unnecessary pain Michael sets out to find a solution which is fundamentally humane. To do so he examines the key methods of execution available today: he discovers why convicts can catch on fire in the electric chair, learns how easy it is to botch a hanging and inhales a noxious gas to experience first hand the terror of the gas chamber.
Armed with some startling evidence Michael considers a completely new approach. Will it be the answer? There is only one way of finding out - to experience it himself.
Directed : Unknown
Written : Unknown
Stars : Dilly Barlow Jack Fortune Paul Vaughan Colin Riach
Genres : Documentary
Release date : Jan 14, 2008
Countries of origin : United Kingdom
Official sites : BBC
Language : English
Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Summary
Former Conservative MP, Michael Portillo pushes his body to the brink of death in an investigation into the science of execution.
As the American Supreme Court examines whether the lethal injection is causing prisoners to die in unnecessary pain Michael sets out to find a solution which is fundamentally humane. To do so he examines the key methods of execution available today: he discovers why convicts can catch on fire in the electric chair, learns how easy it is to botch a hanging and inhales a noxious gas to experience first hand the terror of the gas chamber.
Armed with some startling evidence Michael considers a completely new approach. Will it be the answer? There is only one way of finding out - to experience it himself.
Genres : Documentary
Release date : Jan 14, 2008
Countries of origin : United Kingdom
Official sites : BBC
Language : English
Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
