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Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas could not execute inmate Patrick Murphy if they did not allow his Buddhist chaplain into the death chamber with him. In response, last Thursday, the state of Texas decided to ban all chaplains from entering the death chamber with inmates. Patrick Murphy\u2019s situation echoes the story of Alabama inmate Domineque Ray. Ray, who was executed in February, requested to have his imam be present with him in the execution chamber. Ultimately, his request was denied and Ray was put to death without the presence of his chaplain. Chaplains serve many roles in the final moments of an inmate's life, including comforting family members, says Earl Smith, who served for decades as a death row chaplain in San Quentin State Prison in California. When they\u2019re kept from inmates in their final moments, it can mean there\u2019s no one who is able to relay the individual\u2019s last words. \u201cThat inmate was looking for a way to say \u2018bye\u2019 in peace and because you said \u2018No, you can\u2019t have [the chaplain],\u2019 even in his death, there was no peace,\u201d said Smith. \u201cWe often say that when they\u2019re executed there\u2019s going to be closure. Executions don\u2019t bring closure. They just mean someone has died.\u201d Smith joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and theology editor Caleb Lindgren to discuss why Christians should want all death row inmates to be able to be with their chosen chaplain when they die, what it\u2019s like to spiritually walk with prisoners, and the surprising circumstances that led to Smith winding up at San Quentin.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices