Methods Of Execution
State-by-State Execution Protocols
| State | Link to current protocol | Most recently-used execution protocol | Previous protocols (Dates used, # of executions) | Secrecy policies or statutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Eff. August 25, 2023 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (1/21/16-10/17/24, 20 executions)
Nitrogen hypoxia (1/25/2024-9/26/2024, 2 execution) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (5/19/11-7/25/13, 5 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (12/12/02-3/31/11, 27 executions) Electrocution (4/22/83-5/10/02, 24 executions) | There is no statute that requires secrecy, but it is the position of the Department generally that the lethal-injection protocol is confidential and outside the purview of a public records request.
Much of the August 2023 protocol release redacts important information regarding the specifics of the state’s nitrogen hypoxia protocol. The state asks spiritual advisors to sign a waiver acknowledging the danger present while in the execution chamber. |
| Arizona | Eff. April 2022 | 1-drug pentobarbital (5/11/22-11/16/22, 3 executions) | 2-drug lethal injection, midazolam and hydromorphone (7/23/14, 1 execution) 1-drug pentobarbital (2/29/12-10/23/13, 8 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (5/25/11-7/19/11, 3 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (5/5/99- 3/29/11, 9 executions) Cyanide gas (3/3/99, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (3/3/93-2/24/99, 14 executions)
Cyanide gas (4/6/92, 1 execution) | The protocol states, in part: “The anonymity of any person, as defined in A.R.S. § 1-215(28) and A.R.S. § 13-105(30), who participates in or performs any ancillary function(s) in the execution, including the source of the execution chemicals, and any information contained in records that would identify those persons are, as required by statute, to remain confidential and are not subject to disclosure. A.R.S. § 13-757(C).” (First appeared in protocol dated March 26, 2014) |
| Arkansas | Eff. Aug. 6, 2015 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (4/20/17-4/27/17, 4 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (6/25/90-11/28/05, 26 executions)
| Ark. Code Ann. §5-4-617 states, in part: “(i)(1) The procedures under subdivision (g)(1) of this section, the implementation of the procedures under subdivision (g)(1) of this section, and the identities of the entities and persons who participate in the execution process or administer the lethal injection are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq.” |
| California | No current protocol in place | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (2/23/96-1/17/06, 11 executions) | Cyanide gas (4/21/92-8/24/93, 2 executions) | |
| Colorado | Death penalty abolished in 2020 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (10/13/97, 1 execution) | None | |
| Connecticut | Death penalty abolished in 2012 | 3-drug lethal injection (5/13/05, 1 execution) | None | |
| Delaware | Death penalty declared unconstitutional in August 2016 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (7/29/11-4/20/12, 2 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/30/96- 11/4/05, 8 executions)
3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (3/14/92-3/17/95, 5 executions) | |
| Florida | Eff. March 2023 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with etomidate (8/24/17-08/29/24, 14 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (10/15/13-1/7/16, 13 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (9/28/11-10/1/13, 10 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (2/23/00-2/16/10, 25 executions) Electrocution (5/25/79-7/8/99, 44 executions) | Fla. Stat. Ann. §945.10 states, in part: “(1) Except as otherwise provided by law or in this section, the following records and information held by the Department of Corrections are confidential and exempt from the provisions [of public records act]… (g) Information which identifies an executioner, or any person prescribing, preparing, compounding, dispensing, or administering a lethal injection.” |
| Georgia | Eff. July 17, 2012 | 1-drug lethal injection, pentobarbital (2/21/13-3/20/24, 25 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (6/23/11-9/21/11, 3 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (10/25/01-1/25/11, 26 executions) Electrocution (12/15/83-6/9/98, 23 executions) | Ga. Code Ann. §42-5-36(d)(2) states, in part: “The identifying information of any person or entity who participates in or administers the execution of a death sentence and the identifying information of any person or entity that manufactures, supplies, compounds, or prescribes the drugs, medical supplies, or medical equipment utilized in the execution of a death sentence shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 or under judicial process. Such information shall be classified as a confidential state secret.” |
| Idaho | Eff. October 15, 2024 | 1-drug lethal injection, pentobarbital (6/12/12, 1 execution) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (11/18/11, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/6/94, 1 execution) | Idaho Administrative Code 06.01.01.135 states, in part: “The Department will not disclose (under any circumstance) the identity of the on-site physician; or staff, contractors, consultants, or volunteers serving on escort or medical teams; nor will the Department disclose any other information wherein the disclosure of such information could jeopardize the Department’s ability to carry out an execution.” |
| Illinois | Death penalty abolished | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (9/12/90-3/17/99, 12 executions) | None | |
| Indiana | Eff. Jan. 22, 2014 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (7/18/96-12/11/09, 17 executions) | Electrocution (3/9/81-12/8/94, 3 executions) | Ind. Code §35-38-6-1 states, in part: “(f)The following are confidential, are not subject to discovery, and may not be introduced as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding: (1) The identity of [a pharmacist, a pharmacy, a wholesale drug distributor, or an outsourcing facility that provides a lethal substance to the department of correction] … necessary to carry out an execution by lethal injection. (2) The identity of an officer, an employee, or a contractor of a person described in subdivision (1). (3) The identity of a person contracted by a person described in subdivision (1) to obtain equipment or a substance to facilitate the compounding of a lethal substance described…(4) Information reasonably calculated to lead to the identity of a person described in this subsection” |
| Kansas | No current protocol in place | No executions carried out. | None | Kan. Stat. Ann. §22-4001 states, in part: “The identity of executioners and other persons designated to assist in carrying out the sentence of death shall be confidential.” |
| Kentucky | Eff. July 6, 2018 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (5/25/99-11/21/08, 2 executions) | Electrocution (7/1/97, 1 execution) | Ky. Rev. Stat. §45A.720 states, in part: “Agreements with an individual to provide the services of executioner for the Department of Corrections shall not be subject to the provisions of KRS 45A.690 to 45A.725. The identity of an individual performing the services of executioner shall remain confidential and shall not be considered as public record for the purposes of KRS 61.870 to 61.884.” |
| Louisiana | Eff. March 12, 2014 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (3/5/93-1/7/10, 8 executions) | Electrocution (12/14/83-7/22/91, 20 executions) | La. Rev. Stat. §15:570 states, in part: “G. The identity of any persons other than the persons specified in Subsection F of this Section who participate or perform ancillary functions in an execution of the death sentence, either directly or indirectly, shall remain strictly confidential and the identities of those persons and information about those persons which could lead to the determination of the identities of those persons shall not be subject to public disclosure in any manner. Any information contained in records that could identify any person other than the persons specified in Subsection F of this Section shall remain confidential, shall not be subject to disclosure, and shall not be admissible as evidence nor discoverable in any proceeding before any court, tribunal, board, agency, or person.” |
| Mississippi | Eff. Nov. 15, 2017 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (11/17/21-12/14/22, 2 executions) | 3-drug, beginning with pentobarbital (5/10/11-6/20/12, 8 executions)
Gas (10/22/1979-6/21/89, 4 executions) | Miss. Code Ann. §99-19-51 states, in part: “The identities of all members of the execution team, a supplier of lethal injection chemicals, and the identities of those witnesses listed in Section 99-19-55(2) who attend as members of the victim’s or the condemned person’s immediate family shall at all times remain confidential, and the information is exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.1” |
| Missouri | Eff. Oct. 18, 2013 | 1-drug lethal injection, pentobarbital (11/20/13-9/24/2024, 32 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/6/89-2/9/11, 68 executions) | Mo. Rev. Stat. 546.720 states, in part: “The identities of members of the execution team, as defined in the execution protocol of the department of corrections, shall be kept confidential. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any portion of a record that could identify a person as being a current or former member of an execution team shall be privileged and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for disclosure to any person or entity, the remainder of such record shall not be privileged or closed unless protected from disclosure by law.” Protocol was amended in October 2013 to expand the definition of execution team: “The execution team consists of department employees and contracted medical personnel including a physician, nurse, and pharmacist. The execution team also consists of anyone selected by the department director who provides direct support for the administration of lethal chemicals, including individuals who prescribe, compound, prepare, or otherwise supply the chemicals for use in the lethal injection procedure.” |
| Montana | Eff. Jan. 16, 2013 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (5/10/95-8/11/06, 3 executions) | None | Mont. Code Ann. § 46-19-103 states, in part: “The identity of the executioner must remain anonymous. Facts pertaining to the selection and training of the executioner must remain confidential.” |
| Nebraska | 2016; announced 4-drug protocol on Nov. 9, 2017 | 4-drug lethal injection: diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracurium besylate, potassium chloride (8/14/18, 1 execution) | Electrocution (9/2/94-12/2/97, 3 executions) | Neb. Rev. St. § 83-967 states, in part: “(2) The identity of all members of the execution team, and any information reasonably calculated to lead to the identity of such members, shall be confidential and exempt from disclosure pursuant to sections 84-712 to 84-712.09 and shall not be subject to discovery or introduction as evidence in any civil proceeding unless extraordinary good cause is shown and a protective order is issued by a district court limiting dissemination of such information.” |
| Nevada | Previously: Eff. June 11, 2018. | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (12/6/85-4/26/06, 11 executions) | Gas (10/22/79, 1 execution) | |
| New Mexico | Death penalty abolished in 2009 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (11/6/01, 1 execution) | None | |
| North Carolina | Eff. Oct. 24, 2013 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (8/4/98-8/18/06, 34 executions) | Gas (1/30/98, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/24/95-9/22/95, 2 executions) Gas (6/15/94, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (3/16/84-10/23/92, 5 executions) | N.C. Gen Stat. Ann. § 132-1.2 states, in part: “Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to require or authorize a public agency or its subdivision to disclose any information that: … (7) Reveals name, address, qualifications, and other identifying information of any person or entity that manufactures, compounds, prepares, prescribes, dispenses, supplies, or administers the drugs or supplies obtained for any purpose authorized by Article 19 of Chapter 15 of the General Statutes.” |
| Ohio | Eff. Oct. 7, 2016 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (7/27/17-7/18/18, 3 executions) | 2-drug lethal injection, midazolam and hydromorphone (1/16/14, 1 execution) 1-drug lethal injection, pentobarbital (3/10/11-9/25/13, 10 executions) 1-drug lethal injection, sodium thiopental (12/8/09-2/17/11, 10 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (2/19/99-8/18/09, 32 executions) | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2949.221 states, in part: “(B) If, at any time prior to the day that is twenty-four months after the effective date of this section, a person manufactures, compounds, imports, transports, distributes, supplies, prescribes, prepares, administers, uses, or tests any of the compounding equipment or components, the active pharmaceutical ingredients, the drugs or combination of drugs, the medical supplies, or the medical equipment used in the application of a lethal injection of a drug or combination of drugs in the administration of a death sentence by lethal injection as provided for in division (A) of section 2949.22 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all of the following apply regarding any information or record in the possession of any public office that identifies or reasonably leads to the identification of the person and the person’s participation in any activity described in this division: (1) The information or record shall be classified as confidential, is privileged under law, and is not subject to disclosure by any person, state agency, governmental entity, board, or commission or any political subdivision as a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code or otherwise.” |
| Oklahoma | Eff. February 2020 | 3-drug lethal injection: Midazolam, vecuronium bromide, potassium chloride (10/28/21-09/26/24, 14 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection: midazolam, pancuronium bromide, potassium acetate(1/15/15, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (4/29/14 and 10/20/2022, 2 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (12/16/10-1/23/14, 17 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (9/10/90-10/14/10, 93 executions) | Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, §1015 states: “(B) … . The identity of all persons who participate in or administer the execution process and persons who supply the drugs, medical supplies or medical equipment for the execution shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery in any civil or criminal proceedings. The purchase of drugs, medical supplies or medical equipment necessary to carry out the execution shall not be subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.” |
| Oregon | Eff. March 2017 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (9/6/96-5/16/97, 2 executions) | None | “(3) Selection of Executioner(s): The selection of the executioner(s) will be the responsibility of the Superintendent. The identity of the executioner(s) will remain confidential.” Oregon Admin. Rule 291-024-0016 |
| Pennsylvania | Eff. Aug. 28, 2012; revision Eff. Nov. 7, 2012 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (5/2/95-7/6/99, 3 executions) | None | “(c) Confidentiality.—The identity of department employees, department contractors or victims who participate in the administration of an execution pursuant to this section shall be confidential.” 61 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 4305 |
| South Carolina | Not publicly available (See Authorized Methods by State) | 1-drug pentobarbital (11/1/24, 2 executions) | Electrocution (1/11/85-9/6/91, 4 executions)
3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (11/15/96-4/23/04, 22 executions)
Electrocution (5/28/04, 1 execution)
3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (4/15/05-6/6/08, 6 executions)
Electrocution (6/20/08, 1 execution)
3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (12/5/08-5/8/09, 3 executions)
3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (5/6/11, 1 execution) | S.C. Code §24-3-580 states, in part: “A person may not knowingly disclose the identity of a current or former member of an execution team or disclose a record that would identify a person as being a current or former member of an execution team.” |
| South Dakota | Eff. July 23, 2020 | 1-drug lethal injection: pentobarbital (10/15/12-11/04/19, 4 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (7/11/07, 1 execution) | S.D. Codified Law §23A-27A-31.2 states, in part: “The name, address, qualifications, and other identifying information relating to the identity of any person or entity supplying or administering the intravenous injection substance or substances under chapter 23A-27A are confidential. Disclosure of the foregoing information may not be authorized or ordered.” |
| Tennessee | Eff. July 2018 | Electrocution (8/15/19-2/20/20, 3 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (4/19/00-5/9/07, 3 executions)
Electrocution (11/1/18-12/6/18, 2 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (5/16/19, 1 execution) | Tenn. Code Ann. §10-7-504 states, in part: “(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, those parts of the record identifying an individual or entity as a person or entity who or that has been or may in the future be directly involved in the process of executing a sentence of death shall be treated as confidential and shall not be open to public inspection. For the purposes of this section “person or entity” includes, but is not limited to, an employee of the state who has training related to direct involvement in the process of executing a sentence of death, a contractor or employee of a contractor, a volunteer who has direct involvement in the process of executing a sentence of death, or a person or entity involved in the procurement or provision of chemicals, equipment, supplies and other items for use in carrying out a sentence of death.” |
| Texas | Eff. April 21, 2021 | 1-drug lethal injection: pentobarbital (7/18/12-10/01/24, 109 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (5/3/11-4/26/12, 16 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (12/7/82-2/22/11, 466 executions) | Tex. Crim. Proc. Code Ann. art. 43.14 states, in part: “(b) The name, address, and other identifying information of the following is confidential and excepted from disclosure under Section 552.021, Government Code: (1) any person who participates in an execution procedure described by Subsection (a), including a person who uses, supplies, or administers a substance during the execution; and (2) any person or entity that manufactures, transports, tests, procures, compounds, prescribes, dispenses, or provides a substance or supplies used in an execution.” |
| Utah | Eff. June 10, 2010 | Firing squad (6/18/10, 1 execution) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (10/15/99, 1 execution) Firing squad (1/26/96, 1 execution) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (8/28/87-7/30/92, 3 executions) Firing squad (1/17/77, 1 execution) | There is no statute that requires secrecy, but it is the position of the Department generally that the lethal-injection protocol is confidential and outside the purview of a public records request. |
| Virginia | Death penalty abolished March 24, 2021 | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with midazolam (1/18/17- 7/6/17, 2 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with pentobarbital (8/18/11-10/1/15, 2 executions) 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/24/95-9/23/10, 78 executions) Electrocution (8/10/82-4/27/94, 24 executions) | Va. Code. §53.1-234 states, in part: “The identities of any pharmacy or outsourcing facility that enters into a contract with the Department for the compounding of drugs necessary to carry out an execution by lethal injection, any officer or employee of such pharmacy or outsourcing facility, and any person or entity used by such pharmacy or outsourcing facility to obtain equipment or substances to facilitate the compounding of such drugs and any information reasonably calculated to lead to the identities of such persons or entities, including their names, residential and office addresses, residential and office telephone numbers, social security numbers, and tax identification numbers, shall be confidential, shall be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.), and shall not be subject to discovery or introduction as evidence in any civil proceeding unless good cause is shown.” |
| Washington | Death penalty declared unconstitutional in October 2018; statute removed from state law in 2023 | 1-drug lethal injection: sodium thiopental (9/10/10, 1 execution) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (10/13/98-8/28/01, 2 executions) Hanging (1/5/93-5/27/94, 2 executions) | |
| Wyoming | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (1/22/92, 1 execution) | None | Wyo. Code § 7-13-916 (2015): “The identities of all persons who participate in the execution of a death sentence as a member of the execution team or by supplying or manufacturing the equipment and substances used for the execution are confidential. Disclosure of the identities made confidential by this section may not be authorized or ordered.” | |
| U.S. Government | Eff. 7/25/19 | 1-drug lethal injection: pentobarbital sodium (7/14/20-1/16/21, 13 executions) | 3-drug lethal injection, beginning with sodium thiopental (6/11/01-3/18/03, 3 executions) | |
| U.S. Military | Eff. Jan. 2007 | No executions carried out | None |
Prior Protocols
- Alabama: April 2019 protocol
- Arizona: March 10, 2021 protocol, June 17, 2017 protocol, Jan. 11, 2017 protocol
- California: March 2018 protocol; May 15, 2007 proposed protocol
- Colorado: May 2013 protocol
- Delaware: Aug. 29, 2008 protocol; Oct. 2, 2007 protocol; Aug. 31, 2007 protocol
- Florida: Sept. 9, 2013 protocol; May 9, 2007 protocol
- Georgia: June 7, 2007 protocol
- Idaho: Jan. 6, 2012 protocol
- Louisiana: June 17, 2013 protocol
- Kentucky: Dec. 14, 2004 protocol: issued in three parts: pre-execution procedures, protocol for medical and psychological evaluations prior to an execution, and change to one-drug protocol, allowing for use of either sodium thiopental or pentobarbital (July 20, 2012, public hearing to be held September 25, 2012)
- Missouri: May 15, 2012 protocol
- Montana: Jan. 16, 2013 protocol
- Nevada: Nov. 7, 2017 protocol
- Ohio: June 29, 2015 protocol; Sept. 18, 2011 protocol; Nov. 30, 2009 protocol
- Oklahoma: Sept. 30, 2014 protocol
- South Dakota: Oct. 15, 2015 protocol; July 31, 2018 protocol
- Tennessee: Jan. 8, 2018 protocol; June 25, 2015 protocol; Apr. 30, 2007 protocol
- Texas: July 2012 protocol; April 2, 2019 protocol
- U.S. Government: August 1, 2008 protocol
- U.S. Military: Jan. 2007 protocol
- Virginia: Feb. 7, 2017 protocol