After Karla Tucker's early 1998 execution, which focused...

After Karla Tucker's early 1998 execution, which focused worldwide attention on the state's swelling death row population, record-paced executions and the unanimous rejection of clemency requests, the Board of Pardons and Paroles has slightly revised the clemency process. They have required prisoners to submit clemency petitions earlier. Condemned inmates may soon be allowed to request an interview with one or more parole board members; the inmates' attorneys would not be present. The form on which board members vote for or against commutation or reprieve has been revised to allow them to explain their decision - but there is no requirement that members do so. These changes, while real, are of limited value. They don't significantly improve the basic unfairness and secrecy of the clemency process. Board members previously have voted by fax without meeting, giving no reason for decisions.