Execution Procedure
During the years in which the death penalty existed in Poland, execution by hanging was carried out in eight prisons in the country. Typically, executions would take place around 6.00 p.m., when there were the most prison guards present.
The prisoner was unaware of the fact that the execution was imminent: he was not informed of the date and time when it would take place. Prisoners were only informed at the very last moment, as they entered the death chamber. Death chambers were usually located alongside washrooms and reportedly many of the condemned may have thought they were taken to wash themselves. A final meeting with their family (or the presence at the execution of a family representative) was not allowed. Families of condemned prisoners were not told in advance of the execution date. They only learned of the execution after it had taken place and their relative was dead.
Except for the prison guards, medical team and executioner, the only persons present were the prosecutor (not the judges) and, if the prisoner wished, a priest.
The prisoner had a right to a last wish - e.g. cigarette, simple last meal or writing a letter to their family.
After having his hands tied the prisoner was escorted to the death chamber. The execution chamber had two rooms - one for final preparations and the second containing the gallows. Then prosecutor read the verdict and informed the condemned prisoner that his plea for mercy had been refused by the Council of State.
There were two professional executioners in Poland (both of them members of the prison guard) who received a fee for performing an execution. Their names were kept secret to protect them from reprisals. Both were guards in Warsaw and, if the execution was to be carried out in another place, they travelled to the relevant prison before the execution.
Executions using firing squads were carried out in the military camp in Rembertów. From 1970 to 1988 three soldiers were shot for the crime of murder and rape.
Number of executions:. •1960 – 16
•1961 – 5
•1962 – 6
•1963 – 4
•1964 – 10
•1965 – 5
•1966 – 8
•1967 – 7
•1968 – 8
•1969 – 7
•1970 – 10
•1971 – 9
•1972 – 6
•1973 – 27
•1974 – 7
•1975 – 10
•1976 – 16
•1977 – 13
•1978 – 12
•1979 - 12
•1980 – 4
•1981 – 6
•1982 – 2
•1983 – 8
•1984 – 9
•1985 – 10
•1986 – 10
•1987 – 6
•1988 – 1
Read more about this topic: Capital Punishment In Poland
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