Ron McAndrew is the former warden of Florida State Prison. As the chief officer of the detention center, he has witnessed several executions. However, the last one he oversaw left him with a bitter taste, prompting him to re-evaluate everything!
This Man Reaches the Peak of His Career!
Ron McAndrew’s career in corrections has significantly impacted the history of the United States. He started as a simple officer before receiving a call that would change his life. Speaking to The Sun, he shares how he climbed the ranks to reach the pinnacle!
He recounts: “I received a call from the secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, Harry Singletary. He said to me, ‘Ron, I want to send you to Florida State Prison, but I need to ask you a very important question. Will you have any difficulties carrying out the death penalty?’”.
Young and ambitious, he immediately accepts the position of warden, particularly since he supported the “an eye for an eye” mentality and was in favor of the death penalty. However, Florida State Prison is no child’s play, and he quickly realizes this!
Florida State Prison is infamously known for the nearly inhumane conditions it imposes on its inmates. It has housed some of the worst criminals, including Aileen Wuornos, also known as the “Lady Killer”. However, the most notorious is undoubtedly Ted Bundy, a serial killer who claimed 30 victims in the 1970s!
He Decides to Give It All Up!
As warden, Ron oversaw the execution of several inmates. On October 30, 1996, he witnessed the death of John Earl Bush, a murderer who also committed armed robbery. Despite the execution going smoothly, the warden begins to comprehend how challenging his job is!
Several months later, on March 25, 1997, Ron has to oversee another execution. This time, it’s Pedro Medina, convicted for the murder of a teacher in 1982. However, the story of this man profoundly affects him. Every day, he and his brothers had to beg for food!
At the time of the execution, when the electric chair is activated, a tragedy occurs. He recalls: “We didn’t electrocute this man. We literally burned him alive. His body was on fire, and I couldn’t stop it. I had to let the flames take their course.”
He adds: “Flames were shooting from the inmate’s head, and a horrible odor filled the room. That day, I had to sit down and have a serious conversation with myself about what I was doing.” Later, he calls the secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections and tells him: “Get me out of here.”
He Completely Changes His Point of View!
Like many other workers in correctional facilities, Ron McAndrew suffered from post-traumatic stress after the incident. Broken, angry, and filled with guilt, he decided to undergo deep introspection. At the same time, he sought treatment to help him recover quickly.
This man states: “Some call it an execution, but I have a better term. It’s a premeditated, ceremonial, political murder. That’s all it is.” Since then, he has become an active advocate against the death penalty, tirelessly working to oppose it. He has appeared before federal courts, legislative hearings, and organizations like Amnesty International.
