The death penalty is the harshest punishment in the U.S. justice system, reserved for the most serious crimes. However, some inmates willingly accept their execution, even choosing to waive appeals that could delay or stop the process. These prisoners are known as “execution volunteers,” and experts suggest two main reasons for this—one deeply tragic and another more disturbing.
What Are Execution Volunteers?
Execution volunteers are inmates who give up their legal right to appeal or stop any ongoing legal processes that could prevent their execution. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, about 10% of executions in the U.S. involve these volunteers. This trend has been consistent since 1977 when Utah prisoner Gary Gilmore became the first person executed after the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty. In states like Connecticut, New Mexico, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, only execution volunteers have been put to death.
Why Do Some Inmates Choose Execution?
The idea of willingly accepting execution goes against basic human survival instincts. So why do some inmates make this choice? Experts highlight two major reasons:
1. Seeking Notoriety and Martyrdom
Some inmates see execution as a way to make a statement or gain attention. Former prosecutor Nathan S. Williams, who worked on the case of Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, explains that some criminals want their message to be heard, even at the cost of their own life.
For example, Roof, a white supremacist, killed nine Black worshippers in 2015 but refused to present any defense that might have saved him from the death penalty. He even fired his lawyers when they suggested he might have mental health issues. His goal was to spread his racist ideology without appearing weak or mentally unstable. This form of self-martyrdom ensures that their actions and beliefs remain in the public eye long after their death.
The internet has amplified this effect. According to Williams, criminals today can gain widespread attention through online platforms, manifestos, and news coverage. This is why execution volunteering is becoming more common.
2. The Psychological Toll of Death Row
Not all execution volunteers seek notoriety. Some simply give up after years of isolation and uncertainty. Former Pennsylvania district attorney and legal expert Matthew Mangino explains that life on death row is extremely isolating. Inmates are often confined for 23 hours a day with little to no contact with others.
For some, the endless legal battles and uncertainty of execution dates become too much to bear. They view waiving appeals as a form of “state-assisted suicide,” choosing to take control of when they die rather than waiting for the system to decide.
While execution volunteering may seem shocking, it reflects both the desire for attention and the psychological struggles faced by death row inmates. Some criminals use it as a final way to spread their message, while others simply lose the will to continue fighting. Either way, it raises important questions about the death penalty, the justice system, and the mental health of those awaiting execution.
