logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
24 m

Allen Ault: Opposing the death penalty

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Another chance to hear Stephen Sackur’s 2014 interview with Allen Ault. As the former commissioner of corrections in the US state of Georgia, Ault was responsible for state-sanctioned executions. He organised the killing of criminals until he could stand it no more. What made him leave his post and take up the campaign to end the death penalty?

Up next
Apr 26
Ringo Starr, musician: I never play music alone
“If you play piano, bass guitar, saxophone, I don’t care - I'll play with you all night. That's how I did it. And I tell all my grandkids - get an event, get a few of your schoolmates together. They're practising and playing by themselves. Get with people!”Regan Morris speaks to ... Show More
22m 58s
Apr 24
Isaac Larian, entrepreneur: Failure is the foundation for success
“One thing I have learned from my childhood til now is that when you fall, you get up, dust yourself off, and do it over and over again. I’ve had a lot of up and downs in my business life in America. I’ve had many failures and people only talk about successes, but failures in my ... Show More
22m 56s
Apr 22
Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, wildlife vet: Saving gorillas
“We were able to improve the health of the gorillas and people together. What we do is we improve the health and the livelihoods of the local communities. Because as long as people are poor, they're going to keep entering the forest to poach and collect firewood and they're going ... Show More
23 m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2021
Is the death penalty on its way out?
Sierra Leone has abolished the death penalty – and in countries where it’s still legal, executions are going down. Last year, only 16 were reportedly carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. So, is the end of capital punishment getting nearer? And what will happen to all the prisoners ... Show More
14m 39s
Jul 2022
Murder Made Me Famous: Aaron Hernandez
From All-American to convicted murderer, Aaron Hernandez’ early career success as tight end for the New England Patriots was shockingly overshadowed by his violent life as a killer. Hernandez’ temper seemed to get the best of him in situations, and he was charged with the first-d ... Show More
43m 31s
Jan 2021
13 Executions with Liliana Segura
<p>Content warning: This episode discusses the recent federal executions and details the circumstances of some related crimes, including abuse, assault, rape, and murder.</p><p>For 17 years, the federal execution chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, sat dormant. Then, with only six m ... Show More
54m 58s
Mar 2019
Behind Bars: The CA Death Sentence and Paul Manafort
California Governor Gavin Newsom hit ‘pause’ on capital punishment in his state. Opening up the floor for a national debate on the death penalty. In other criminal justice news, a judge tacked on more federal prison time for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Now, pros ... Show More
13m 10s
Jun 2022
EPISODE 8: Dead End
In February 2015, the Somerset prosecutor announced that John Sheridan had murdered his wife in cold blood and then killed himself. In 2017, the manner of death was updated to “undetermined.” From the local detectives to the state’s Attorney General’s office, a lot of people walk ... Show More
31m 57s
Oct 2021
The unlawful death of Christopher Alder
In 1998, Christopher Alder, a black former soldier, choked to death in handcuffs on the floor of a British police station. CCTV footage showed the 37-year-old father-of-two gasping for air as officers chatted and joked around him. It took 11 minutes for him to stop breathing. An ... Show More
13m 20s
Oct 2021
The Trial Over Ahmaud Arbery's Killing
<p>In the coming days, a trial will begin to determine whether the fatal shooting of Amaud Arbery, an unarmed Black man, by two armed white men is considered murder under Georgia state law. Today, we explore why that may be a difficult case for prosecutors to make.</p><p>Guest: < ... Show More
27m 20s
Sep 2019
The Gainesville Ripper
Murder. Rape. Mutilation. August 1990. After 675 suspects and thousands of pieces of evidence, it all came down to one man: Danny Rolling. Three years after five brutal and disturbing murders in Gainesville, Florida, Danny Rolling is called to trial. He is accused of several coun ... Show More
44m 9s