Capital punishment has been practiced in multiple countries across the world. The devices used in the past would not be considered humane by contemporary standards. The garrote was an execution device that would strangle a person to death. The prisoner would have their hands tied, while a brace would be on their neck. The executioner would then tighten the vice. The image is a rare photograph taken in Bilibid Prison. This was a prison established by the Spanish in the Philippines. The garrote’s origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire. The execution device was also used in the Ottoman Empire. The Spanish used it as well and brought it over to their colonies in Asia. Even when the Spanish lost the Philippines to the United States, the use of the garrote continued. By the late 20th century, the garrote was abolished as a form of execution. Debate still continues about the effectiveness of capital punishment and it it constitutes a violation of human rights.
The World History Archive and Compendium 