Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington’s Department of Corrections is preparing for the execution of Cal Coburn Brown. It’s scheduled for early Friday morning.

Wednesday, Governor Chris Gregoire and the Washington Supreme Court turned down requests to call off the execution.

Brown was sentenced to death for the rape, torture and murder of a 22-year-old woman.

Before his scheduled death, Brown will be moved into a holding cell near the execution chamber and fed his last meal.

He also has access to a phone, clergy and family visits.

Dan Pacholke is the director of Washington's prisons division. He says the employees who carry out the execution volunteer for the work, but it still can be upsetting.

Dan Pacholke: “The action itself, I mean the severity of the sanction is the highest thing that is offered in the criminal justice system. It’s a very, very, very significant sanction. I think it’s significant that state employees are asked to carry it out.”

The Department of Corrections offers counseling for employees before and after the execution.

Brown was sentenced to death for the 1991 murder of Holly Washa of Burien, Washington.