Nine programmes from the BAFTA award-winning documentary series Circuit Eleven Miami.

In Britain today support outside Parliament for the resumption of hanging has strengthened. Four years ago in Florida the same process was at work.

One stroke of a pen caused a shiver to run through the Death Rows of the 37 States of the Union that retained capital punishment. The signature of new State Governor Graham on the death warrant which sent convicted killer John Spenkelink to the electric chair on 25 May 1979 meant that no convicted prisoner could any longer feel confident that his execution would not take place. For those who had almost exhausted the long processes of appeal, the situation was desperate. Within days of Florida's first execution for 15 years, further death warrants were signed on Bob Sullivan and Chuck Proffitt.

Both were mute and helpless as the grim countdown of the 'deathwatch' routine began. As their time ebbed away. defence teams swung into action to stop the clock, so that both men could live to fight another day.

(Subtitles on Ceefax page 270)