Two prisoners have been executed in the American state of Arkansas - in the nation's first double execution since 2000.

Following the deaths of Marcel Williams and Jack Harold Jones, the state plans to execute six more prisoners before the end of the month - because the drug they use is set to expire.

Criminologist Matthew Pate told Nadine Higgins he thinks the rush is really down to a rise in nationalism.

He said executions emphasise severe sanctions against criminals, and that helps nationalists make an appeal to an ordered society.

LISTEN ABOVE: Nadine Higgins talks to criminologist Matthew Pate about the executions.