Explanation please?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/01/17/allen.death.ap/index.html

This quote is taken from the above article:

"Having suffered a heart attack back in September, Allen had asked prison authorities to let him die if he went into cardiac arrest before his execution, a request prison officials said they would not honor.
"At no point are we not going to value the sanctity of life," said prison spokesman Vernell Crittendon. "We would resuscitate him," then execute him."


If this logic makes sense to anyone, could you please explain it to me, because I sure as hell don't understand it.