We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Executioner?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 22, 2024
Views: 10,419
Share

An executioner is a person tasked with carrying out death sentences on behalf of the government. Executioners receive special training in the techniques authorized by the government for executing prisoners, and they supervise the process of executions, including making arrangements for witnesses, preparing the site of the execution, and making sure the necessary equipment is in good working order. Depending on where an executioner works, a degree in criminal justice may be needed, and some also have law enforcement or medical training to assist them in carrying out their jobs.

This profession is ancient, as human cultures have been using the death penalty for thousands of years. A variety of techniques have been used in execution since ancient times, ranging from methods designed to be rapid and humane to torture techniques intended to make the condemned suffer before death. Some examples include beheading, hanging, lethal injection, electrocution, and stoning. In some cultures, the death sentence also spells out the method to be used, while in others, the condemned may be permitted to choose between several available options.

People working as executioners often face social stigma. Even in cultures where the death penalty is widely accepted, the people involved in carrying out death sentences may be viewed with unease or suspicion. Historically, executioners were hooded to conceal their identities with the goal of preventing reprisals and eliminating stigma. In the modern era, it is not uncommon for the executioner to work concealed from witnesses and the prisoner, using remote control systems for the execution. People who work in this field often do not disclose the nature of their work at a prison, for personal and security reasons.

The work of an executioner involves making sure prisoners are executed in a timely and correct fashion. It does not include questions of guilt, innocence, and wrongful conviction. Executioners may choose not to seek out information about the prisoners they work with in the interests of remaining impartial. While they may have medical training, they are not doctors, as medical ethics forbid doctors in most regions of the world from assisting with executions. This has been a topic of controversy in some regions, as some people argue that physicians who choose to assist are providing a humane service to prisoners by ensuring they are not subjected to painful methods of death.

Prisons with openings for executioners may not readily advertise them due to the social attitudes associated with the death penalty. Often, members of prison staff are recruited internally, typically learning on the job by assisting with executions until they can take over as executioner.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-an-executioner.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.