The next wave in death-penalty efficiency: mobile execution vans!

**Posted by Phineas

Okay, I generally favor the death penalty in a restricted number of cases and when there is overwhelming evidence of guilt: there are crimes so terrible that the only the death of the offender will bring justice. And it frustrates me no end when states like my own California let the number of death-row inmates awaiting execution skyrocket because of almost endless and often frivolous appeals. Justice delayed is justice denied.

But, as much as I favor speeding up the process (while respecting the legitimate rights of the condemned), even I became squeamish when I learned of China’s mobile execution vans:

“Makers of the death vans say the vehicles and injections are a civilized alternative to the firing squad, ending the life of the condemned more quickly, clinically and safely. The switch from gunshots to injections is a sign that China “promotes human rights now,” says Kang Zhongwen, who designed the Jinguan Automobile death van in which “Devil” Zhang took his final ride.”

Click through for a picture.

Somehow the idea of making execution as convenient as calling the mobile dog-groomer is a bit appalling, no?

The article points out that China executes three times as many people as the rest of the world, thus there’s pressure to make them more efficient. China also executes criminals for more crimes than most nations: while they recently took 13 off the list, there are still 55 capital crimes — including official corruption.

I wonder if the “death van” comes with air-conditioning?

via someone on Twitter. Sorry, lost the link.

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

Comments are closed.