You will find a list with videos in the net to the different topics here.
Short self-made videos about pen pal-ships with death row inmates and related topics here.
Life in prison
Death row prisoners and their friends and family
Visits
Execution
Victims and forgiveness
Thinking about people who commit crimes and about the death penalty
Life in prison
- It’s easy to see that being incarcerated was a blessing for me
By Donald Dillbeck, 57 years old, 30 years on death row
_______________________________________________ - Life is a journey of discovery and rediscovery
By Donald Dillbeck, 57 years old, 30 years on death row
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Liebe Grüsse aus dem Todestrakt Radio SRF Virus, Kompass
Interview mit Ines Aubert
In der Hintergrundsendung «Kompass» treffen wir eine Frau, die seit 19 Jahren in Kontakt mit Mördern und Vergewaltigern steht und möchten von einer Ethikforscherin wissen, ob das vertretbar ist oder nicht.
Swiss German, 2020
Duration: 39 minutes
_______________________________________________ - Pen pals on death row Rckstr.ch
Interview with Ines Aubert
English, 2020
Original version in German Brieffreunde im Todestrakt
_______________________________________________ - Room versus cell – Comments to the drawing in the German book “Im Gefängnis”
Death row inmates comment the drawing of a German prison cell and compare it to their own cell.
English, February 2020
_______________________________________________ - ➢ 10 questions to a death row inmate that you would never dare to ask, VICE.com
With Richard, an inmate on death row in Florida, connected with VICE through connectdeathrow
English, 2019
Original version in German
_______________________________________________ - Talk with Dina – Minutes Before Six
Minutes Before Six offers a possibility for inmates to have their writings and their art posted.
By Ines Aubert
English, November 2018
_______________________________________________ - Journal of a GRAD Program – Gang Renouncement And Disassociation Program
A first-hand account of a former gang-member as he goes through the GRAD Program which is only offered to ex-gang members that “renounce” their membership to their former gang.
By José Moreno, in prison in Texas for 33 years
English, 2018
_______________________________________________ - Amazing friendships beyond the walls
About the importance of having friends.
By Polo, 27 years old, 4 years on death row in Texas
English, June 2018
_______________________________________________ - What do you do with your free time
By HB, 46 years old, 26 years on death row in Florida
English, December 2017
_______________________________________________ - With all that tear gas I thought that I was going to die
About the effects of getting tear gas in the cell.
By José, 22 years on death row
English, May 2017
_______________________________________________ - Death rows are not built to rehabilitate or salvage any redeemable quality one may possess
By M., 48 years old, 26 years on death row in Florida.
English, April 2017
_______________________________________________ - Tenderness, kindness and compassion on death row
By José, 50 years old, 30 years in prison, 22 of which on death row in Texas
English, 2016
_______________________________________________ - Death row made me feel as if I were part of a family
The differences between a life sentence and a death sentence
By José, 50 years old, 30 years in prison, 22 of which on death row in Texas
English, 2016
_______________________________________________ - Windows on Death Row – Art From Inside and Outside the Prison Walls
Copyright © Chappatte in The New York Times – see the whole series: www.nytimes.com/deathrow
Cartoon about life on death row in Texas, by Patrick Chappatte with Anne-Frederique Widmann, exhibition “Windows on Death Row”
English, March 2016
_______________________________________________ - He is demanding we wear the heavy cloth pants while it is 90+ degrees in here
About the everyday torture in prison
By M., on death row in Florida
English, February 2016
_______________________________________________ - When that door slams all you ever were begins to die
What you would have to learn first about being caged really depends on who you are…
By M., 48 years old, 26 years on death row in Florida.
English, October 2015
_______________________________________________ - The events that led me to death row were already in motion
Many of the people I had come to associate with were of the same mindset, criminals, faithless, untrustworthy, that is yet another world, an underworld, Tartarus.
By M., 48 years old, 26 years on death row in Florida.
English, October 2015
_______________________________________________ - Interview with A., an inmate who is no longer on death row about gangs
Interview by Ines Aubert with A. in Texas
English, February 2015
_______________________________________________ - Name and number
About the importance of receiving mail on death row
By Robert P., 37 years old, 17 years on death row in Texas
English, November 2014
_______________________________________________ - Interview with David Dow, Director of the Texas Innocence Network / TIN and with Kelly Hickman, a young lawyer working for the Texas Innocence Network / TIN:
By Ines Aubert
English, April 2014
_______________________________________________ - If I make it to dawn then I have made it for the day
That has changed, this has changed, I am changed. Not the prison, it never changes.
By M., on death row in Florida.
English, 2012
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Kenneth Vodochodsky on death row in Texas
Kenny’s death sentence was recently overturned in a life sentence.
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert.
English, 2007
Death row prisoners and their friends and family
- Perin – How do I stay relevant in your life – Interview with my father
Perin, 15 years in prison in Texas, talks to his father about their relationship.
English, May 2020
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Chris Brown, author of Child of Grace
Chris Brown talks about growing up with a father on death row in Alabama
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
English, April 2020
_______________________________________________ - I would like to click on Google Earth
Page about the project connectdeathrow with examples of texts from death row inmates.
Source: ACAT brochure for the World Day about the death penalty,
October 10, 2018
Language: English
_______________________________________________ - My journey with Robert Pruett on death row in Texas
At the end of April 2002, Ines Aubert wrote her first letter to Robert Pruett, who had just arrived on death row in Texas.
Robert was executed on October 12, 2017.
By Ines Aubert
English, November 2017
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article: Wenn der Brieffreund ein Mörder ist, watson.ch
About writing inmates through lifespark and connectdeathrow
German, September 2017
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Howard “Sam” Pruett, father of death row inmate Robert Pruett in Texas
By Ines Aubert
English, June 2015
_______________________________________________ - Where have you been all day long
A boy misses his Dad who is in prison
By Ines Aubert
English, April 2015
_______________________________________________ - Will you guys adopt me? And will you adopt my son?
About the friendship with Robert P. on death row in Texas and his fictive son Seth.
Robert was executed on October 12th 2017.
English, May 2013
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a newspaper: Mein Brieffreund aus dem Todestrakt, NZZ online
About Ines Aubert
German, March 2012
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Radio: Als ob ich ein normaler Mensch wäre, Part two, Radio WDR
Read out letters by journalist Carolin Courts and her pen friend Samir on death row in Florida
German, December 2010
Duration: 20 minutes
_______________________________________________ - The big challenge
A talk by Ines Aubert with Robert Power on death row in Florida who wants to apologize to his victims
English, October 2010
_______________________________________________ - The man I got to know was no longer the one who committed those horrible crimes
By Gabi Uhl, about her friendships with death row prisoners
English, 2010
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Radio: Ich sehne mich so danach, nicht als Monster gesehen zu werden, Part one, Radio Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln, WDR
Read out letters by journalist Carolin Courts and her pen friend Samir on death row in Florida
German, December 2009
Duration: 20 minutes
_______________________________________________ - The pendulum dialogue
Talk between Ines Aubert and Robert Power/Casper
“I have killed, raped, robbed and beaten, stole, cheated in every kind of trickery, pimped prostitutes, sold drugs, and generally dominated every person unfortunate enough to cross my evil path ” (Robert Power).
English, 2008
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a magazine: Brieffreunde in der Todeszelle, Migros Magazin
About Harald Ammeter and Ines Aubert
German, January 2007
English version: Pen pals on death row
_______________________________________________
Visits
- Travel update 2019
The Travel update was written during the trip to visit inmates in Texas and Florida.
By Ines Aubert
English, July and August 2019
_______________________________________________ - Travel update 2018
The Travel update was written during the trip to visit inmates in Texas and Florida.
By Ines Aubert
English, July and August 2018
_______________________________________________ - Travel update 2016
The Travel update was written during the trip to see Robert Pruett a last time before his scheduled execution on August 23rd 2016.
Robert was executed on October 12th 2017.
By Ines Aubert
English, July and August 2016
_______________________________________________ - What visits mean to me
By Perin, 38 years old, 13 years in prison
English, July 2016
_______________________________________________ - Travel update 2015
The Travel update was written during the trip to see Robert Pruett a last time before his scheduled execution on April 28th, 2015.
Robert was executed on October 12th 2017.
By Ines Aubert
English, April 2015
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a magazine: Post aus der Todeszelle: Die deutsche Brieffreundin eines Hinrichtungskandidaten, Spiegel TV Magazin
With Gabi Uhl, about Texas death row inmate Willie Trottie and his scheduled execution
Duration: 8:30 minutes
German, September 2014
_______________________________________________ - The apple, the future and the hug – snapshots of my trip to the USA
By Ines Aubert
English, September 2010
_______________________________________________
Execution
- Interview with Gabi Uhl, anti death penalty activist who witnessed the execution of three pen friends
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert, 2019
English, 2019
_______________________________________________ - ➢ The Last 40 Miles – An animated film of the last trip to the execution chamber at the Huntsvill Unit in Texas
“The Last 40 Miles,” based on a true story, follows an inmate on his final journey from Texas’s death row in Livingston, to the execution chamber in Huntsville. During the ride, his memories, the scenery flashing by, and the unexpected compassion of the guard escorting him, keep him company.
By Onalaska Films, 2018
Duration: 11 Minutes
_______________________________________________ - Cruel and usual
Comic about execution, by Liliana Segura and Jackie Roche
Source: https://thenib.com
English, October 2018
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a magazine: Das letzte Ma(h)l, Gomagazin
About Lilia Allemann, pen friend and spiritual advisor of a death row inmate in Texas
German, March 2017
_______________________________________________ - We dance on – The day of my scheduled execution on April 28th
By Robert P., 17 years on death row in Texas.
Robert was executed on October 12th 2017..
English, May 2015
_______________________________________________ - Love and Light – Living in the presence before the execution
By Ines Aubert, about the last week before the execution of her friend on death row
English, April 2015
_______________________________________________ - One week to his execution – the big tear
About the execution of a close friend
By Ines Aubert
English, April 2015
_______________________________________________ - About the prospect of receiving an execution date soon
What I do know is I won’t change my way of living because of this unfavorable ruling…
By Robert P., 37 years old, 17 years on death row in Texas
English, December 2014
_______________________________________________ - Talk about the topic execution with Robert Pruett on death row in Texas
Talk between Ines Aubert and Robert P.
Robert was executed on October 12th 2017.
English, July 2014
_______________________________________________ - Dialogue with Lilia Allemann who was the spiritual counselor of her pen pal
An interview by Ines Aubert with Lilia Allemann, who served as spiritual counselor to her penpal when he was executed
English, January 2014
_______________________________________________ - Witnessing executions
Interview by Ines Aubert with anti-death penalty activist Gabi Uhl who watched the executions of two of her pen pals
English, June 2009
_______________________________________________ - Interview with José after he survived his execution date
Interview by Ines Aubert with José M. who received a stay three hours before his execution
English, June 2009
_______________________________________________ - Swallowed by a gigantic beast – A Journey to Solace
By José Angel M., Texas Death Row
José A. M. wrote this article after coming as close as three hours to his execution. This horrifying experience has changed him completely: “The person that went to the Walls Unit is not the same person that came back…”
English, September 2007
_______________________________________________
- The execution
By Gabi Uhl who witnessed the execution of her friend Cliff Boggess in Texas
“The first heavy part of the day was over at noon: the farewell from Cliff at the end of our last visit, a farewell not without tears, but even without the possibility to touch hands.”
English, 1999
_______________________________________________
Victims and forgiveness
- No one who knew him wasn’t changed by him – Talk with Marla Moffet about Donald Dillbeck
It’s one year since Donald Dillbeck was executed.
By Ines Aubert
English, 2024
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Billy Tracy – How can I apologize for something like that
Billy Tracy regrets that he lied about his crime and wonders how he could ever find the words to apologize for what he did.
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
English, 2023
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Donald Dillbeck – Meeting a jury member who voted for my death
Donald Dillbeck about meeting a jury member whom he calls a “silent victim”.
By Ines Aubert
English, 2020
_______________________________________________ - Friends with this animal, are you serious
A family member of Ines’ pen friend’s victim contacts her and later on they personally meet.
By Ines Aubert, 2019
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Lisa Rea, president of Restorative Justice International
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
English, 2017
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Bill Pelke, founder of the Journey of Hope
Interview with Bill Pelke about forgiveness, ten years after the first interview in 2007
By Ines Aubert
English, November 2017
_______________________________________________ - Victim–offender dialogue – Interview with Ruedi Szabo
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
English, 2017
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Claudia Christen, president of the Swiss Restorative Justice Forum
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
English, 2017
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Jeff, an advocat of the death penalty
The questions were asked by Ines Aubert
Continuation of the talk “Always the same pattern with you Euro women”
English, 2016
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Video: Gefangen und frei, SRF2, Fenster zum Sonntag
Report about Ines Aubert and her friendship with Robert Power /Casper on death row in Florida
Duration 11 minutes, starting at minute 18:30
Swiss German, March 2016
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a magazine: Die Schöne und das Biest, Männermagazin
About Ines Aubert and about why people write to death row inmates
German, December 2015
English version: Beauty and the Beast
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Video: Faut pas croire: Reportage – la correspondante, RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse
About lifespark, Evelyne Giordani and Ines Aubert
Duration: 8:30 minutes
French, May 2015
_______________________________________________ - Peace to you – about evil and good, remorse and forgiveness
By Ines Aubert
This document is a collection of texts around the story of Robert Power/Casper on death row in Florida. Casper wants to apologize to the many women he has raped. His Swiss pen pal and friend tries to help him get his apology out. When Casper writes his biography, dealing with the details of his crimes becomes one of the biggest challenges Ines Aubert has ever faced. After Casper dies of cancer, she meets a woman who was raped by him and who has forgiven him.
The brochure contains dialogues with Casper, his handwritten apology, an interview with the raped woman and other texts. The preface is written by Bill Pelke, the president of Journey of Hope.
English, May 2015
_______________________________________________ - ➢ Article in a magazine: Freundschaft Gut und Böse, Strassenmagazin Surprise
About Ines Aubert and her special journey with her pen pal Robert Power „Casper“
German, November 2014
English version: Friendship Good and Evil
_______________________________________________ - Talk with Jake Yarbrough – a living memory of a taken father
A talk with Jake Yarbrough with the son of the victim in the case of Robert P. by Ines Aubert.
English, September 2013
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Debbie – a woman who was raped by Robert Power
An interview by Ines Aubert with Debbie. She was raped by Ines’ pen friend Robert Power and has forgiven him
English, February 2011
_______________________________________________ - Every year I receive a letter letting me know they wait for me to die
By M., on death row in Florida
English, 2011
_______________________________________________ - The big challenge
A talk by Ines Aubert with Robert Power on death row in Florida who wants to apologize to his victims
English, October 2010
_______________________________________________ - Interview with Bill Pelke, Founder of the Journey of Hope
Interview by Ines Aubert with Bill Pelke about forgiveness
English, 2007
_______________________________________________ - It was a healing process for both of us
An interview by Ines Aubert with Rodney Bowser, who forgave his sister’s murderer
English, June 2007
_______________________________________________
Thinking about people who commit crimes and about the death penalty
- Talk with Jeff – Always the same pattern with you Euro women
A proponent of the death penalty contacts Ines by e-mail and they start talking
By Ines Aubert, 2016
_______________________________________________ - We all are – on both sides of the prison wall – made up of the same raw material
Can such a good-looking man be a murderer? How is it that a person on death row has such nice handwriting? Can this prisoner who writes such wonderful poetry really have inflicted harm upon someone?
By Ines Aubert
English, February 2008
_______________________________________________ - The principle of legitimacy
About the difference between legality and legitimacy, based on Frank Urbanioks book “Was sind das für Menschen – was können wir tun” (Zytglogge, 2003)
In his book, Urbaniok illustrates an important principle: legitimacy comes before legality.
By Ines Aubert
English, 2008
German version: Das Legitimationsprinzip
_______________________________________________