They also posted a message on the corrections department Web site. So far, Strongin says, the publicity push has worked. The state currently has almost 100 citizens in its pool of potential witnesses. Press Release Successful Pennsylvania has achieved similar success with its witness recruitment efforts. Five years ago, the state was poised to execute its first inmate since the death penalty was reinstated.
State law requires the presence of six civilian witnesses at executions.
The problem was solved. Now, Pennsylvania has hundreds of citizens in its pool of potential witnesses, says Jeffrey Rackovan, assistant to the superintendent at the state's death house. Few Questions Asked Most states that invite civilian witnesses into the death chamber are not picky about the motivations or qualifications of the volunteers. Although most states ask citizens to explain why they want to see an execution, few volunteers are ever turned away. In Florida, for example, officials perform background checks on potential witnesses, but applicants' motivations are not heavily scrutinized.