The death penalty is legal in twenty-seven different states and illegal in twenty-three. These shocking numbers go to show the division between beliefs and the power states hold regarding criminal justice. However, the support for the death penalty has shockingly decreased over the last two decades. In “Justice or Murder?”, by Russell Mobley, one of the most controversial topics surrounding criminal justice of our time is discussed. Mobley offers his readers an insider's perspective on someone who worked within this highly contentious system. As a former employee at Florida State Prison, Mobley offers unique insight into preparing the death house for executions and into the disturbing realities of capital punishment. By his own account, Mobley …show more content…
It is also home to Florida’s only death chamber; therefore, it is where all of the state's executions occur”(977). Mobley, describing the history of Florida State Prison, shows the readers that he knows what he is discussing and that what he says is believable. This acknowledgment of Florida State Prison retaining the only death chamber in the state tells the reader just how dangerous the inmates could be: Florida State Prison being the only prison in Florida with the death chamber, shows the reader that the state has ultimate power over life and death; it also raises questions regarding societal attitudes towards punishment, depicting how dangerous this prison is builds a counterclaim for the readers to question their beliefs. Take, for example, how “three of Florida’s most vicious serial killers took their last breath in the chamber” the most well-known was “Ted Bundy, executed by electric chair”(977). Aileen Wuronose was the next example Mobley gave, she “was the second woman.by lethal injection”(978). The third and final example Mobley gave was “The Gainesville Ripper”, also known as “Danny Rollings.by lethal