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The Last Gasp: The Rise and Fall of the American Gas Chamber, by Scott Christianson (University of California Press, 2011).
The Last Gasp: The Rise and Fall of the American Gas Chamber, by Scott Christianson
(University of California Press, 2011).
344 pages, $18.95 paperback
Book review by Julie Etter
Scott Christianson’s new book, released in paperback in July 2011, continues the author’s prolific examination of the history of the U.S. …
(University of California Press, 2011).
344 pages, $18.95 paperback
Book review by Julie Etter
Scott Christianson’s new book, released in paperback in July 2011, continues the author’s prolific examination of the history of the U.S. …
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More from this issue:
- God’s Own Warden: If you ever find yourself inside Louisiana’s Angola prison, Burl Cain will make sure you find Jesus – or regret ever crossing his path, by James Ridgeway
- Angola: A Prison Passion Play, by John Dannenberg
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- No Budget Cuts for Federal Prisons, by James Ridgeway
- Death Sentences, Executions Remain at Low Levels, by Justin Miller
- Dallas County Passes Jail Inspections ... Finally
- Michigan Sex Offender’s Suicide Results in Changes to Sex Offender Registry Law, by Matthew Clarke
- California Lifers: Deaths Exceed Parole Releases, by John Dannenberg
- Background Checks that Bar Employment of Ex-offenders May Violate Civil Rights
- Class-Action Settlement Cures Constitutional Violations at Pennsylvania Prison
- Hawaii ACLU Files Suit on Behalf of Women Who Want to Marry Prisoners, by Alex Friedmann
- Wrongful Convictions Prove Costly, Especially for the Wrongly Convicted, by Matthew Clarke
- Guard Who Identified Over 100 Prison Rioters Pleads Guilty to Contraband Charge
- Oregon Increases Sex Offender Registration Requirements
- Washington Prison Video Surveillance Recordings Exempt from Disclosure Under Public Records Act, by Michael Brodheim
- Florida Closes Oldest Boy’s School, Best Known for Abusive Past
- Federal Investigation, Prosecution Targets Indiana Sheriff’s Officers, by Derek Gilna
- Failure to Advise Defendant of Ineligibility for Early Release Credits Renders Guilty Plea Invalid
- CCA Anti-Prison Rape Shareholder Resolution Fails to Pass
- Ninth Circuit Rules that Washington DOC Religious Contractor Not a “State Actor”
- Ohio Wrongful Conviction Results in $2.59 Million Settlement
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- The Last Gasp: The Rise and Fall of the American Gas Chamber, by Scott Christianson (University of California Press, 2011)., by Julie Etter
- California Study Finds State Prison Overcrowding Driven by County Policy Decisions, Not Violent Crime Rates
- Pennsylvania County Prisons Not Reporting Critical Incidents
- Former BOP Guard Convicted, Sentenced in Murder-for-Hire Case
- Iowa Supreme Court Holds Billing for Fraudulent Prisoner Phone Calls Not a State Law Violation
- No “Strike” Under PLRA When Some Claims are Heard on the Merits, by Brandon Sample
- Tenth Circuit Voids Albuquerque’s Attempt to Ban Sex Offenders from Libraries, by Derek Gilna
- $47,500 Awarded to Massachusetts Prisoner Held in Segregation Without Hearing
- Second BOP Guard Convicted in Connection with Prisoner’s Murder, by Brandon Sample
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- ACLU Report Proves Smart Criminal Justice Policy Reform is Possible, by David Reutter
- News in Brief
More from Julie Etter:
- Supermax: Controlling Risk Through Solitary Confinement, by Sharon Shalev (Willan Publishing, September 2009). 346 pages, $39.95, June 15, 2013
- The Mentally Disordered Inmate and the Law, 2nd edition, Sept. 15, 2012
- The Last Gasp: The Rise and Fall of the American Gas Chamber, by Scott Christianson (University of California Press, 2011)., June 15, 2012
More from these topics:
- Dissenter Excoriates SCOTUS for Denying Certiorari in Challenge to Constitutionality of Nitrogen Hypoxia Execution, Feb. 1, 2026. Death Penalty, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Capital Punishment, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Method of Execution.
- 2025 Was a Deadly Year for Veterans Behind Bars, Jan. 1, 2026. Brain Injury, Death Penalty, Mental Health, Veterans, Mental Health Experts.
- Oklahoma Prisoner Found Unconscious in Cell Hours After Avoiding Execution, Dec. 1, 2025. Public Defenders, Pardons/Clemency, Life without Parole (LWOP), Death Penalty, Effective Assistance of Counsel.
- Missouri Blocks Spiritual Advisors from Prison Pastor’s Execution, Nov. 1, 2025. Pardons/Clemency, Death Penalty, Lethal Injection Method of Execution, Religious Freedom/Worship, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
- Eleventh Circuit Overturns 1990 Alabama Death Sentence Over Racially Biased Jury Selection; ACLU Report Shows It Is Still Happening, Nov. 1, 2025. Racial Discrimination, Habeas Corpus, Death Penalty, Batson Claims, Racial Bias Exception.
- In the Killing Chamber, Oct. 1, 2025. Death Penalty, Death Row.
- Review: “Reforming the Shadow Carceral State”, Aug. 1, 2025. Reviews, Criminal justice system reform, Seizure of Prisoner Funds, Fines.
- Oklahoma Prisoner’s Execution Was Expedited by the Trump Administration, Aug. 1, 2025. Death Penalty, Death Row, Lethal Injection.
- On Remand, Eleventh Circuit Clarifies, Affirms Grant of Habeas Relief to Death Row Prisoner, Aug. 1, 2025. Habeas Corpus, Death Penalty, Death Row.
- Georgia Moves to Shield Intellectually Disabled Prisoners from Execution, June 1, 2025. Sentencing, Death Penalty.

