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U.S. | 'I comfort death row inmates in their final moments - the execution room is like a house of horrors'

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Reverend Jeff Hood, 40, wants to help condemned inmates 'feel human again' and vows to continue his efforts to befriend murderers in spite of death threats against his family A reverend who has made it his mission to comfort death row inmates in their final days has revealed the '"moral torture" his endeavor entails. Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood, 40, lives with his wife and five children in Little Rock, Arkansas. But away from his normal home life, he can suddenly find himself holding the shoulder of a murderer inside an execution chamber, moments away from the end of their life. 

The Living Conditions on Texas Death Row

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Polunsky Unit, Texas
Prisoners on Texas Death Row are confined in isolation, 24hrs/day, 7 days/week. They only leave their cell to go to recreation, to shower or to the visiting room when they have visitors. Meals are brought to the cell doors.

Since the move from the Ellis Unit, operated between June 99 and March 2000, the prisoners no longer have access to the following:

- Group recreation
- Craft Workshop
- Religious Services
- Television
- Work Program

Texas Death Row prisoners are classified and confined in 3 categories, level I, II and III. Level I prisoners have privileges that are taken away when transferred to level II and III.

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U.S. | 'I comfort death row inmates in their final moments - the execution room is like a house of horrors'

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Reverend Jeff Hood, 40, wants to help condemned inmates 'feel human again' and vows to continue his efforts to befriend murderers in spite of death threats against his family A reverend who has made it his mission to comfort death row inmates in their final days has revealed the '"moral torture" his endeavor entails. Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood, 40, lives with his wife and five children in Little Rock, Arkansas. But away from his normal home life, he can suddenly find himself holding the shoulder of a murderer inside an execution chamber, moments away from the end of their life. 
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