Inside America’s Death Chambers

How a country kills its condemned

A statue of lady justice

Support for this project was provided by the MacArthur Foundation.

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This work was commissioned, produced, and edited by The Atlantic's editorial staff. Support for this work was provided in part by the organizations listed here.

A photograph of a bearded man behind prison glass and surrounded by black phone receivers; his fingertips touch the window
Matthew Busch / The New York Tim​es / Redux

Death of a Sinner

A Texas prisoner fought for the right to have his pastor pray over him and lay hands on him during his execution. Now his pastor reflects.
A collage showing Alan Eugene Miller, a syringe, law enforcement, and a gavel
Paul Spella / The Atlantic; Alabama Department of Corrections; Dave Martin / AP

Dead Man Living

What happened when Alabama tried and failed to kill Alan Eugene Miller
photo illustration of Cox's mug shot overlaid with handwritten note, torn into shreds and fanned out
Photo illustration by Adam Maida. Sources: Mississippi Department of Corrections / AP.

A Good Man, at One Time

How a Mississippi inmate became an advocate for his own execution