Criminal Podcast: "The Job" - A Detailed Summary

Episode Title: The Job
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Phoebe Judge
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network
Description: "Criminal" delves into the human stories behind crime, exploring those who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or found themselves in complex situations. In the episode titled "The Job," host Phoebe Judge interviews Frank Thompson, a former superintendent of the Oregon State Penitentiary, who oversaw Oregon's only two executions in over five decades.

1. Introduction to Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson begins by sharing his upbringing in Arkansas during the segregated South. Raised in a loving black community with strong church ties, he recounts the profound impact of witnessing racial violence firsthand.

Frank Thompson [01:04]: "When Emmett Till was killed in 1955... that was the beginning, quite frankly, of my accepting capital punishment as being something that should be administered against those who were so guilty of acts, as was perpetrated against Emmett Till."

2. The Shadow of Emmett Till

Frank vividly describes the tragic murder of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy lynched for allegedly whistling at a white woman. This event deeply influenced Frank's perception of justice and capital punishment.

Frank Thompson [02:24]: "I didn't have the freedom of looking where I felt like I wanted to look on a public bus because somebody might say I winked at a white woman. That's how Emmett Till's murder began to affect my psyche about racism in the South."

3. Career in Corrections

After serving as a military police officer during the Vietnam War, Frank returned to Arkansas to complete his medical studies and subsequently joined the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He discusses the operational protocols surrounding executions, emphasizing the heightened security and control measures implemented during such times.

Frank Thompson [05:35]: "Arkansas has been a capital punishment state for quite some time... all institutions would be put on alert... trying to get a feel for the pulse of the institutions."

4. Transition to Oregon and the Weight of Responsibility

In 1994, Frank accepted the role of superintendent at the Oregon State Penitentiary, aware that it meant the potential duty of executing inmates. Oregon had not conducted an execution since 1962 and was transitioning to lethal injection protocols.

Frank Thompson [07:18]: "They did tell me... there's a chance you might have to execute somebody... I told them that I'm a good soldier, I can do my job."

5. Establishing Execution Protocols

With no prior executions under Oregon's new guidelines, Frank had to develop and implement lethal injection protocols from scratch. This involved training staff, coordinating with other states like Texas and Arkansas for procedural insights, and rehearsing the process meticulously.

Frank Thompson [12:52]: "We pulled from the experiences of primarily Texas and Arkansas to build the protocols for Oregon."

6. The First Execution: Emotional Turmoil and Ethical Dilemmas

In September 1996, Douglas Franklin Wright became Oregon's first inmate executed by lethal injection. Frank recounts the emotional strain of performing the execution, highlighting the physical and psychological challenges faced by him and his team.

Frank Thompson [22:32]: "You got a human being, we're down here tying a person to a gurney, about to take his life. You're not thinking about the crime that he committed."

7. Aftermath and Personal Struggles

Post-execution, Frank describes an overwhelming sense of emptiness and the void left by completing such a life-altering duty. This emotional burden led him to take a solitary trip to cope with the aftermath.

Frank Thompson [22:32]: "I felt an uncomfortable void. It wasn't even a relief. It was a void... I got in my car the next day and took off on a long trip."

8. A Second Execution and Deepening Conflict

Nine months later, Frank faced another execution of Harry Charles Moore. This second experience intensified his internal conflict and fear, further solidifying his growing reservations about capital punishment.

Frank Thompson [25:37]: "Take it from me, killing somebody never gets easier."

9. Retirement and Advocacy Against the Death Penalty

After overseeing Oregon's only two executions, Frank retired in 2010. He has since dedicated himself to advocating for the repeal of the death penalty, emphasizing the moral and societal costs associated with such practices.

Frank Thompson [27:15]: "By supporting the death penalty, we create another set of victims by asking decent men and women who know nothing about killing anybody."

10. Reflections on Capital Punishment's Broader Impact

Frank passionately argues that capital punishment not only affects the condemned but also has profound psychological effects on those tasked with executing the sentences. He challenges societal perceptions and calls for a deeper understanding of the ramifications of the death penalty.

Frank Thompson [27:15]: "Nobody really thinks about taking the life of a human being until taking the life of a human being becomes newsworthy."

Conclusion

In "The Job," Frank Thompson provides a poignant and introspective look into the world of capital punishment from the perspective of those who administer it. His narrative highlights the emotional and ethical complexities involved, ultimately advocating for a reevaluation of the death penalty's place in modern justice systems. Through his personal journey, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the human cost associated with state-sanctioned executions.

For more episodes and stories like this, visit thisiscriminal.com.