Just weeks after Ohio struggled for more than 90 minutes to find a suitable vein in Joseph Clark’s arm to administer lethal injection drugs, the state has decided to implement new regulations aimed at ensuring smoother procedures during executions. In a report prompted by problems encountered during Clark’s execution, Ohio prisons Director Terry Collins told Gov. Bob Taft that execution teams will now make every effort to locate two injection sites prior to an execution and will use a new method to make sure the veins stay open once entryways are found.
The practice of evaluating inmates with regard to whether potential injection problems exist and what can be done to reduce their effect on a pending execution will change from a visual observation to a more direct approach. Under the new rules, defendants could face up to three physical evaluations the night before and the morning of their execution. Prison staff will also be advised that they have no requirement to complete an execution within a certain time frame. “Our current practice has created an articial self-imposed time barrier resulting in enormous pressure on the execution team members. Allowing this expectation has caused staff to believe they must act quickly, contributing to the difficulty of the task,” Collins’ report stated.
The lethal injection changes are to be in place by July 12, when Ohio is scheduled to carry out the execution of Rocky Barton.
(Associated Press, June 28, 2006). See Ohio Dept of Rehabilitation and Correction: “Execution Procedure—Process Review” (June 27, 2006). See Botched Executions and Methods of Execution.
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