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An Example of Death Warrant
When Clemency Is Denied;
http://www.drc.ohio.gov/public/execution_process.pdf
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Ohio Death House Tour 1.mov
Ohio Death House Tour 2.mov
Ohio Death House Tour 3.mov
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DRC Execution Policy 8-18-11
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/62987859?access_key=key-1qajl8rh1wcc0m2a1tud
___________________________________________________________
Older Execution Information
Ohio Changes Lethal Injection Drug
January 26, 2011
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) announced today it will substitute Pentobarbital for Sodium Thiopental for the purposes of carrying out lethal injections in Ohio. The protocol change results from a national shortage of Sodium Thiopental and the manufacturer’s announced discontinuation of production.
The new drug, Pentobarbital, is widely available and manufactured in the United States. The change in protocol was communicated to U.S. District Judge Frost before whom legal action is pending concerning Ohio’s lethal injection procedure. Pending further legal developments, the new procedure will be used for the execution of Johnnie Baston in March.
The state of Oklahoma has used Pentobarbital in three executions. At a much lower dosage, Pentobarbital is used to induce coma in heart surgery patients.
This protocol will not impact the execution of Frank Spisak scheduled for February 17, 2011. However, it will be applied to all future executions. DRC will continue to exercise this responsibility in a professional, humane and dignified manner.
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Ohio Prisons Director Announces Changes to Ohio’s Execution Process
(Updated November 13, 2009)
Today, Terry J. Collins, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) held a press briefing during which he outlined changes that have been applied to the execution process in Ohio.
The following is taken from a prepared statement that Director Collins read during the briefing:
“On September 15, 2009, DRC experienced rare and exceptional circumstances in preparing to execute Inmate Romell Broom, which prompted us to re-examine our current process and consider alternate or back-up means of execution. As a result, I have given instructions for two substantive changes to the execution protocol, the first regarding the drugs used and the second regarding the inclusion of a back-up procedure.”
“We have conducted a full examination to consider all circumstances that can impact our ability to fulfill our legally mandated obligation in carrying out the execution process for the State of Ohio.”
Today an affidavit was filed with the federal court detailing the changes that I have authorized in the lethal injection procedures used in Ohio.”
“The previous method of execution included a three-drug protocol applied intravenously. The first change to the execution procedure includes the adoption of a one-drug protocol, using thiopental sodium alone, applied intravenously. Pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride will no longer be used as a part of the process. In the event that an IV site cannot be established or maintained, then I have authorized the use of an intramuscular injection of midazolam and hydromorphone as a back-up means of carrying out the execution.”
My staff is currently working on revising our policies and procedures to reflect the changes to the execution protocols. I have instructed all involved that the changes will be complete and become effective no later than November 30, 2009.”
“The execution team in Ohio carries out a very difficult task and does so in a professional and humane manner. Their ability to perform their duties was never in question during this study. The adoption of the new execution protocol will not only simplify the execution process but will also ensure that the execution team will be able to address any rare and exceptional circumstances.”
Source; http://www.drc.ohio.gov/Public/press/press342.htm
To view affidavit; http://www.opd.ohio.gov/DP/CollinsAff111309.pdf
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Statement from State Public Defender Tim Young, regarding announcement that DRC is revising Ohio’s execution protocol.
Source; http://www.opd.ohio.gov/Press/pr_11-13-09.htm
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Ohio's DRC's Execution Policy
Source; DRC Policies and Procedures
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The last 24 hours of a condemned inmate
(Some outdated content)
About 24 hours before a condemned inmate is scheduled to be executed, he will be taken from the Ohio State Penitentiary, where the state keeps death row inmates, to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, where executions are carried out.
The inmate will then be able to order his “special meal,” which is served about 4 p.m. the day before the execution is to be carried out. He is also given an examination to determine if the medical personnel on the state’s execution team will have any difficulties locating suitable veins to insert the shunts that will carry the lethal drugs into the inmate’s system.
The inmate is housed in the state’s death house, located in the same small building where the execution will be carried out, and he has access to a television and a radio. He also is given visitation time with friends, family, spiritual advisers and his attorneys the evening prior to his execution.
If the inmate is not awake by 6 a.m., prison staff will wake him up, and he will be offered the prison’s breakfast as well as the chance to shower before donning his execution garb.
He also will be allowed a final set of visits with family and others.
Shortly before the inmate is to enter the execution chamber, the prison’s warden will read the death warrant and medical personnel will insert the shunts for the drugs. The shunts are typically placed in the arms.
After the inmate is prepared, he will walk 17 steps down a hallway and be strapped to the injection table in the death chamber. Execution team members will examine the tubing that will carry the drugs into the inmate and a low-pressure saline drip will begin to flow through the lines into the inmate. The drip will constantly flow throughout the process to ensure the lines remain open.
The warden will then offer the inmate the opportunity to make a final statement on which there is no set time limit.
After the inmate’s last words, the warden will signal the execution team members who are in control of the drugs, and the first drug, thiopental sodium, a sedative, will be injected into the inmate through the tubing.
After the sedative has been administered, the warden will call the inmate’s name, shake his shoulder and pinch his arm to make sure he is unconscious. An execution team member also will examine the equipment to make sure it is functioning properly.
If there is a problem with the lines or the inmate remains conscious, the lines may be moved and a second dose of the sedative administered.
If the inmate is deemed unconscious, then the second drug, pancuronium bromide, will be administered. The second drug paralyzes the inmate and stops his breathing.
Finally, the third drug, potassium chloride, which induces a heart attack, will be injected.
When the final drug has been administered, a curtain will be closed and the inmate will be checked for signs of life, typically by the Scioto County coroner.
The curtain will then be reopened and the warden will announce the inmate’s time of death.
Source; http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/06/03/the-last-24-hours-of-a-condemned-inmate/
Death Row logs reveal last days, nights of life.
Ohio provides records of inmates' activities right up to execution.
___________________________________________________________
Home History Inmates Annual Report Justice Initiative Scheduled Executions Clemency Execution Process Media Executed Innocence Exonerated Petitions Pen Pal FAQ Updates
___________________________________________________________
This is the form the inmate and their family are required to fill out after the death warrant has been received.
When Clemency Is Denied;
More about this particular denial can be seen here;
Execution Process Guide for Offender Families and Support System. Given to inmate family before lethal injection is carried out in Ohio.
http://www.drc.ohio.gov/public/execution_process.pdf
_____________________________________________________
Ohio Death House Tour 1.mov
Ohio Death House Tour 2.mov
Ohio Death House Tour 3.mov
___________________________________________________________
DRC Execution Policy 8-18-11
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/62987859?access_key=key-1qajl8rh1wcc0m2a1tud
___________________________________________________________
Older Execution Information
Ohio Changes Lethal Injection Drug
January 26, 2011
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) announced today it will substitute Pentobarbital for Sodium Thiopental for the purposes of carrying out lethal injections in Ohio. The protocol change results from a national shortage of Sodium Thiopental and the manufacturer’s announced discontinuation of production.
The new drug, Pentobarbital, is widely available and manufactured in the United States. The change in protocol was communicated to U.S. District Judge Frost before whom legal action is pending concerning Ohio’s lethal injection procedure. Pending further legal developments, the new procedure will be used for the execution of Johnnie Baston in March.
The state of Oklahoma has used Pentobarbital in three executions. At a much lower dosage, Pentobarbital is used to induce coma in heart surgery patients.
This protocol will not impact the execution of Frank Spisak scheduled for February 17, 2011. However, it will be applied to all future executions. DRC will continue to exercise this responsibility in a professional, humane and dignified manner.
___________________________________________________________
Ohio Prisons Director Announces Changes to Ohio’s Execution Process
(Updated November 13, 2009)
Today, Terry J. Collins, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) held a press briefing during which he outlined changes that have been applied to the execution process in Ohio.
The following is taken from a prepared statement that Director Collins read during the briefing:
“On September 15, 2009, DRC experienced rare and exceptional circumstances in preparing to execute Inmate Romell Broom, which prompted us to re-examine our current process and consider alternate or back-up means of execution. As a result, I have given instructions for two substantive changes to the execution protocol, the first regarding the drugs used and the second regarding the inclusion of a back-up procedure.”
“We have conducted a full examination to consider all circumstances that can impact our ability to fulfill our legally mandated obligation in carrying out the execution process for the State of Ohio.”
Today an affidavit was filed with the federal court detailing the changes that I have authorized in the lethal injection procedures used in Ohio.”
“The previous method of execution included a three-drug protocol applied intravenously. The first change to the execution procedure includes the adoption of a one-drug protocol, using thiopental sodium alone, applied intravenously. Pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride will no longer be used as a part of the process. In the event that an IV site cannot be established or maintained, then I have authorized the use of an intramuscular injection of midazolam and hydromorphone as a back-up means of carrying out the execution.”
My staff is currently working on revising our policies and procedures to reflect the changes to the execution protocols. I have instructed all involved that the changes will be complete and become effective no later than November 30, 2009.”
“The execution team in Ohio carries out a very difficult task and does so in a professional and humane manner. Their ability to perform their duties was never in question during this study. The adoption of the new execution protocol will not only simplify the execution process but will also ensure that the execution team will be able to address any rare and exceptional circumstances.”
Source; http://www.drc.ohio.gov/Public/press/press342.htm
To view affidavit; http://www.opd.ohio.gov/DP/CollinsAff111309.pdf
___________________________________________________________
Statement from State Public Defender Tim Young, regarding announcement that DRC is revising Ohio’s execution protocol.
Source; http://www.opd.ohio.gov/Press/pr_11-13-09.htm
___________________________________________________________
Ohio's DRC's Execution Policy
Source; DRC Policies and Procedures
___________________________________________________________
The last 24 hours of a condemned inmate
(Some outdated content)
About 24 hours before a condemned inmate is scheduled to be executed, he will be taken from the Ohio State Penitentiary, where the state keeps death row inmates, to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, where executions are carried out.
The inmate will then be able to order his “special meal,” which is served about 4 p.m. the day before the execution is to be carried out. He is also given an examination to determine if the medical personnel on the state’s execution team will have any difficulties locating suitable veins to insert the shunts that will carry the lethal drugs into the inmate’s system.
The inmate is housed in the state’s death house, located in the same small building where the execution will be carried out, and he has access to a television and a radio. He also is given visitation time with friends, family, spiritual advisers and his attorneys the evening prior to his execution.
If the inmate is not awake by 6 a.m., prison staff will wake him up, and he will be offered the prison’s breakfast as well as the chance to shower before donning his execution garb.
He also will be allowed a final set of visits with family and others.
Shortly before the inmate is to enter the execution chamber, the prison’s warden will read the death warrant and medical personnel will insert the shunts for the drugs. The shunts are typically placed in the arms.
After the inmate is prepared, he will walk 17 steps down a hallway and be strapped to the injection table in the death chamber. Execution team members will examine the tubing that will carry the drugs into the inmate and a low-pressure saline drip will begin to flow through the lines into the inmate. The drip will constantly flow throughout the process to ensure the lines remain open.
The warden will then offer the inmate the opportunity to make a final statement on which there is no set time limit.
After the inmate’s last words, the warden will signal the execution team members who are in control of the drugs, and the first drug, thiopental sodium, a sedative, will be injected into the inmate through the tubing.
After the sedative has been administered, the warden will call the inmate’s name, shake his shoulder and pinch his arm to make sure he is unconscious. An execution team member also will examine the equipment to make sure it is functioning properly.
If there is a problem with the lines or the inmate remains conscious, the lines may be moved and a second dose of the sedative administered.
If the inmate is deemed unconscious, then the second drug, pancuronium bromide, will be administered. The second drug paralyzes the inmate and stops his breathing.
Finally, the third drug, potassium chloride, which induces a heart attack, will be injected.
When the final drug has been administered, a curtain will be closed and the inmate will be checked for signs of life, typically by the Scioto County coroner.
The curtain will then be reopened and the warden will announce the inmate’s time of death.
Source; http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/06/03/the-last-24-hours-of-a-condemned-inmate/
Death Row logs reveal last days, nights of life.
Ohio provides records of inmates' activities right up to execution.
___________________________________________________________
Home History Inmates Annual Report Justice Initiative Scheduled Executions Clemency Execution Process Media Executed Innocence Exonerated Petitions Pen Pal FAQ Updates
___________________________________________________________
