Procedures of Executions by lethal drugs                     

In 2000, the Florida legislature mandated that executions were no longer to be done with electricity and instead are to be done with lethal chemicals inserted into the condemn’s  veins. What follows are the procedures of the executions conducted in Florida as per the Florida Statutes. In all likelihood, similar procedures are conducted in other States in the United States that use lethal injection as a means of executions.  

APPLICATION:

This procedure applies to any execution for which a death warrant was filed after September 6, 2013 and to any other execution scheduled to occur after November 30, 2013.

DEFINITIONS:

(I) Execution team, where used herein, refers to correctional staff and other persons who are selected by the team warden designated by the Secretary to assist in the administration of an execution by lethal injection, and who have the training and qualifications, including the necessary licensure or certification, required to perform the responsibilities or duties specified. Individuals on the execution team will be referred to as "execution team member" or ··team member•· in these proceedings.

(2) Executioner, where used herein, refers to an individual selected by the team warden to initiate the flow of lethal chemicals into the inmate. The executioner's sole function is to inject the chemicals into the IV access port by physically pushing the chemicals from the syringe. The executioner is only authorized to carry out this specific function under the direction of the team warden. An executioner shall be an adult, undergo a criminal background check and be sufficiently trained to administer the flow of lethal chemicals. The executioner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the team warden, that s/he is competent, trained, and of sufficient character to carry out the required function under the team warden’s direction.

(3) Institutional warden, where used herein, refers to the warden of Florida State Prison, who shall be responsible for handling support functions necessary to carry out the lethal injection process.

(4) Team warden, where used herein, refers to the warden designated by the Secretary. The team warden shall be a person who has demonstrated through experience, training and good moral character the ability to perform an execution by lethal injection. The team warden has the final and ultimate decision making authority in every aspect of the lethal injection process. No deviation from any part of this procedure is authorized unless approved and directed by the team warden.               

SPECIFIC PROCEDURES:

(l) Receipt of Warrant:

These execution procedures will commence upon receipt of the Governor's Warrant of Execution. The institutional warden will schedule the execution for a date and time certain that is within the period of time designated in the warrant. The institution warden will provide a copy of the Warrant of Execution to the Departments, Secretary and General Counsel, deliver a copy to the named inmate and the team warden, and notify the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), any state correctional institutions and any local agencies that may be selected by the issuance of the warrant and of the date and time selected for the execution.

(2) Selection of the Executioners:

(a) The team warden will select two (2) executioners who are fully capable of performing the designated functions to carry out the execution. The team warden will provide each executioner with a copy of this procedure and will explain fully their respective duties and responsibilities and assure that each executioner is trained for the function assigned. The identities of the executioners will be kept strictly confidential as provided by statute.

(b) The team warden will designate one (1) of the selected executioners as the primary executioner and the other as the secondary executioner. The primary executioner will be solely responsible for administering the t1ow of lethal chemicals into the inmate during the execution. The secondary executioner will be present and available during the execution to assume the role of the primary executioner if the primary executioner becomes unable for any reason, as determined by the team warden, to carry out his/her the functions.

(3) Selection of the Execution Team:

The team warden will designate the execution team members and verify that each team member has the training and qualifications, and possesses current, necessary licensure or certification, required to perform the responsibilities or duties specified. The team warden will ensure that all execution team members and other involved staff have been adequately trained to perform their requisite functions in the execution process. The team warden shall select personnel with sufficient training and experience to perform the technical procedures needed to carry out an execution by lethal injection, including the mixing of the chemicals and placement of the venous access lines. The identity; of any team; members with medical qualifications shall be strictly confidential.

(a) The team warden shall select the team member(s) responsible for achieving and monitoring peripheral venous access from the following classes of trained professionals: a phlebotomist (phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood from patients) certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA), American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) or American Medical Technologists AMT); a paramedic or emergency medical technician, certified under Chapter 40 I, of the Florida Statutes; a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under Chapter 464, Florida Statutes, or a physician or physician ·s assistant licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459 of the Florida Statutes.

(b) The team warden shall select the team member(s) responsible for achieving and monitoring central venous access, if necessary. from the following classes of trained professionals: an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under Chapter 464, pf the Florida Statutes: a physician or physician's assistant licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459, of the Florida Statutes.

(c) The team warden shall select the team member(s) responsible for examining the inmate prior to execution to determine health issues from the following classes of trained professionals: a paramedic or emergency medical technician, certified under Chapter  401 of the Florida Statutes; a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under Chapter 464, of the Florida Statutes, or a physician or physician's assistant licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459 of the Florida Statutes.

(d) The team warden shall select the team member(s) responsible for attaching the leads to the heart monitors and observing the monitors during the administration of execution from the following classes of trained professionals: a paramedic or emergency medical technician, certified under Chapter 401, Florida Statutes; a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under Chapter 464. of the Florida Statutes or a physician or physician's assistant licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459 of the Florida Statutes.

(e) The team warden shall select the team member(s) responsible for purchasing, maintaining and mixing the lethal chemicals !rom the following classes of trained professionals: a physician, licensed under Chapter 458 or Chapter 459, Florida Statutes or a pharmacist licensed under Chapter 465, of the Florida Statutes.

(f) The team warden shall select other execution team members to carry out the following tasks:

Showering and preparation of the inmate. 2. Ensuring that the equipment necessary for an execution is in proper working order. 3. Escorting the inmate from his/her cell to the execution chamber. 4. Applying restraints to the inmate prior to applying the heart monitor leads and acquiring venous access. 5. Maintaining the open telephone line with the Office of the Governor. 6. Reporting the actions inside the executioner's room to the team warden. 7. Maintaining the checklists that detail the events surrounding the execution. 8. Opening and closing the window covering to the witness gallery and turning on and off the public address (PA) system. This list is not intended to be exhaustive. There may be other necessary tasks to carry out an execution and such tasks will be assigned by the team warden.

Training of the Execution Team and Executioners: There shall be sufficient training to ensure that all personnel involved in the execution process are prepared to carry out their distinct roles for an execution. All team members shall be instructed on the effects of each lethal chemical. All simulations or reviews of the process shall be considered training exercises. The team warden or his/her designee will conduct simulations of the execution process on a quarterly basis at a minimum or more often as needed as determined by the team warden. Additionally, a simulation shall be conducted the week prior to any scheduled execution. All persons involved with the execution should part1icipate in the simulations. If a person cannot attend the simulation, the team warden shall provide for an additional training opportunity or otherwise ensure that the person is adequately trained to complete his or her assigned task. There shall be a written record of any training activities. The simulations should anticipate various contingencies. Examples of possible contingencies shall include:

(a) Issues related to problems with equipment needed to carry out an execution. (b) Problems related to venous access of the inmate, including the necessity to obtain an alternate venous access site during the execution process. (c) The inmate is not rendered unconscious after the administration of the midazolam hydrochloride injection. (d) Combative inmate. (e) Incapacity of any execution team member or executioner. (f) Unanticipated medical emergency concerning the inmate, an execution team member or executioner. (g) Problems related to the order and security at the Florida State Prison. (h) Power failure or other facility problems.

This list is not meant to be exhaustive and only provides examples of the types of contingencies that could arise during the course of an execution. The team warden is responsible for ensuring that training addresses, at a minimum, the above situations.

Use of Checklists:

Compliance with this procedure will be documented on appropriate checklists. Upon completion of each step in the process, an execution team member will indicate when the step has been completed. Prior to the administration of the lethal chemicals, the team warden will consult with the designated team member and verify that all steps in the process have been performed properly. At the conclusion of the process, the team warden will again consult with the designated team member and verify that the remaining steps in the process were performed properly. The team warden will then sign the form, attesting that all steps were performed properly.

Purchase and Maintenance of Lethal Chemicals:

A designated execution team member will purchase, and at all times ensure a sufficient supply of the chemicals to be used in the lethal injection process. The designated team member will ensure that the lethal chemicals have not reached or surpassed their expiration dates. The lethal chemicals will be stored securely at all times as required by state and federal law. The FDLE agent in charge of monitoring the preparation of the chemicals shall cont!m1 that all lethal chemicals are correct and current.

FDLE Monitors: (Florida Department of Law Enforcement)

(a) Two (2) FDLE agents shall serve as monitors and shall be responsible for observing the actions of the execution team and the condition of the condemned inmate at all times during the execution process.

(a) Issues related to problems with equipment needed to carry out an execution. (b) Problems related to venous access of the inmate, including the necessity to obtain an alten1ate venous access site during the execution process. (c) The inmate is not rendered unconscious after the administration of the midazolam hydrochloride injection. (d) Combative inmate (special handcuffs are placed on his wrist and if he is combative, there are metal teeth in the handcuffs and if the cuffs are tightened, they cause pain, thereby forcing the prisoner to cooperate) (e) Incapacity of any execution team member or executioner. (f) Unanticipated medical emergency concerning the inmate, an execution team member or executioner. (g) Problems related to the order and security at the Florida State Prison. (h) Power failure or other facility problems.

This list is not meant to be exhaustive and only provides examples of the types of contingencies that could arise during the course of an execution. The team warden is responsible for ensuring that training addresses, at a minimum, the above situations.

Use of Checklists:

Compliance with this procedure will be documented on appropriate checklists. Upon completion of each step in the process, an execution team member will indicate when the step has been completed. Prior to the administration of the lethal chemicals, the team warden will consult with the designated team member and verify that all steps in the process have been performed properly. At the conclusion of the process, the team warden will again consult with the designated team member and verify that the remaining steps in the process were performed properly. The team warden will then sign the forms, attesting that all steps were performed properly.

Purchase and Maintenance of Lethal Chemicals:

A designated execution team member will purchase, and at all times ensure a sufficient supply of the chemicals to be used in the lethal injection process. The designated team member will ensure that the lethal chemicals have not reached or surpassed their expiration dates. The lethal chemicals will be stored securely at all times as required by state and federal law. The FDLE agent in charge of monitoring the preparation of the chemicals shall confirm that all lethal chemicals are correct and current.

                                                                                                             

FDLE Monitors:

(a) Two (2) FDLE agents shall serve as monitors and shall be responsible for observing the actions of the execution team and the condition of the condemned inmate at all times during the execution process. (b) The first FDLE agent shall be located in the executioner's room and is responsible for observing the preparation of the lethal chemicals and documenting and keeping a detailed log as to what occurs in the executioner's room at a minimum of two (2) minute intervals. A copy of the log shall be provided to the team warden and shall be available at the post execution debriefings. (c) The second FDLE agent shall be located in the execution chamber, and will be responsible for keeping a detailed log of what is occurring in the execution chamber at a minimum of two (2) minute intervals. A copy of the log shall be provided the team warden and shall be available tor the post execution debriefings.

Approximately One(1) Week Prior to Execution:

(a) The team warden will designate one or more execution team members to review the inmate's medical file and to make a limited physical examination of the inmate to determine whether there are any medical issues that could potentially interfere with the proper administration of the lethal injection process. The team member(s) will verbally report his/her findings to the team warden as soon as is practicable following the file review and physical examination. The results of this examination shall be documented in the inmate's file. After reviewing the results of the examination which should include a determination of the best access site and conferring with the team member(s) that performed the examination, the team warden shall conclude what is the more suitable method of venous access (peripheral or femoral) tor the lethal injection process given the individual circumstances of the condemned inmate based on all information provided. (b) If a team member reports any issue that could potentially interfere with the proper administration of the lethal injection process, the team warden will consult with any or all of the members of the execution team and resolve the issue.

On the Day of Execution:

(a) A food service director, or his/her designee, will personally prepare and serve the inmate's last meal. The inmate will be allowed to request specific food and non-alcoholic drink to the extent that such food and drink costs $40 or less is available at the institution, and is approved by the toad service director.

(b) The inmate will be escorted by one (1) or more team members to the shower area where a team member of the same gender will supervise the showering of the inmate. Immediately thereafter, the inmate will be returned to his/her assigned cell and issued appropriate clothing. A designated member of the execution team will obtain and deliver the clothing to the inmate.

(c) A designated execution team member will ensure that the telephone in the execution chamber is fully functional and that there is a fully-charged, fully-functional cellular telephone in the execution chamber. Telephone calls will be placed from the telephone to ensure proper operation. Additionally, a member of the team shall ensure that the two-way audio communication system and the visual monitoring equipment are fully functional.

(d) A designated execution team member will ensure that the PA system is fully functional.

(e) The only people authorized to be in the execution chamber area are members of the execution team and others as approved by the team warden, including two monitors from FDLE.

(f) A designated execution team member, in the presence of one or more additional team members and an independent observer from FDLE, will prepare the lethal injection chemicals as follows, ensuring that each syringe used in the lethal injection process is appropriately labeled. including the name of the chemical contained therein:

(NOTE: the chemicals aren’t mixed together as the “cocktail” as commonly believed. Instead, three chemicals and a saline solution are injected in consecutive order)

(1) Midazolam hydrochloride* injection: A sterile, disposable sixty cubic centimeter (60cc) syringe and needle will be used to draw fifty milliliters (5O mls) of midazolam hydrochloride for injection 5mg from one or more vials containing the same, for a total of 250 milligrams (250 mg) of midazolam hydrochloride solution. That syringe will then be fitted with an eighteen (I 8) gauge, one (I) inch, blunt cannula (tube), clearly labeled with the number one (I), and placed in the first slot on a stand designed to hold eight (8) such syringes in separate slots. The stand will be clearly labeled with the letter "A." This process will be repeated with a second syringe, which will be clearly labeled with a number two. (2) and placed in the second slot on stand "A. Two additional syringes will be drawn in the same manner, fitted with the blunt cannula, and clearly labeled with the numbers one ( l) and two (2), respectively. These two syringes will be placed in the first two slots on a second stand that has been clearly labeled with the letter "B.  All materials used to prepare these syringes will be removed from the work area and discarded pursuant to state and federal law.

*(Midazolam Hydrochloride induces sleepiness)  

  

(2) Vecuronium bromide*: A total of 200 milligrams of vecuronium bromide shall be reconstituted from one or more vials containing the same. Vecuronium bromide for injection l 0 mg is reconstituted by adding l 0 mL of sterile water for injection to a vial, resulting in a solution of 1 mg/mL Vecuronium bromide for injection 20 mg is reconstituted by adding 20 mL of sterile water for injection to a vial, resulting in a solution of 1 mg/mL A sterile, disposable sixty cubic centimeter (60cc) syringe will be used to draw fifty milligrams (50mg) of vecuronium bromide from one or more vials containing same. The syringe will then be fitted with an eighteen (18) gauge, one (1) inch, blunt cannula (tube). This procedure will be repeated until there are four ( 4) syringes, each containing fifty milligrams (50 mg) of vecuronium bromide, for a total of 200 milligrams. Two syringes will be clearly labeled with the numbers four (4) and five (5), respectively, and placed into slots four (4) and five (5) on stand "A." This procedure will be repeated with the other two syringes, each of which will be ·fitted with a blunt cannula, labeled appropriately and placed in slots four (4) and five (5), respectively, on stand "B.'" All materials used to prepare these syringes will be removed from the work area and discarded pursuant to state and federal law. 

* (Vecuronium Bromide is used as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal and muscle relaxation during surgery. )

3) Potassium chloride: A sterile, disposable sixty cubic centimeter (60cc) syringe will be used to draw one hundred twenty milli-equivalents ( 120 mg) of potassium chloride from one or more vials containing same. The syringe will then be fitted with an eighteen (18) gauge, one (1) inch blunt cannula (tube). This procedure will be repeated until there are four (4) syringes, each containing one hundred twenty milli-equivalents (120 mg) of potassium chloride, for a total of 480 milli-equivalents. Two syringes will be clearly labeled with tile numbers seven (7) and eight (8), respectively, and placed into slots seven (7) and eight (8) on which will be fitted with a blunt cannula, labeled appropriately, and placed in slots seven (7) and eight (8) respectively on stand B." All materials used to prepare these syringes will be removed from the work area and discarded pursuant to state and federal law.

*( Potassium chloride is used to stop the heart from beating)

(4) Saline solution: A sterile, disposable twenty cubic centimeter (20cc) syringe will be used to draw twenty milliliters (20ml) of sterile saline solution ti·01n one or more vials containing same. This procedure will be repeated until there are four (4) syringes. each containing twenty milliliters (20m!) of sterile saline solution, for a total of eighty (80) milliliters. Each syringe will then be fitted with an eighteen (18) gauge. one (l) inch, blunt cannula (tube). Two syringes will be clearly labeled with the numbers three (3) and six (6), respectively, and placed into slots three (J) and six (6) on stand "A." This procedure will be repeated with the other two syringes, each of which will be placed in slots three (3) and six (6) respectively on stand "B." All materials used to prepare these syringes will be removed from the work area and discarded pursuant to state and federal laws.

*(Saline Solution is used to make the lethal chemicals flow easier in the condemned’s veins) 

(g) The execution team member who has prepared the lethal chemicals will transpot1 them personally, in the presence of one or more additional members of the execution team, to the executioner's room. Stand A" will be placed on the worktop tor use by the primary executioner, to be used during the execution by lethal injection. Stand B will be placed on a shelf underneath the worktop within easy reach of the executioners should they be needed during the execution. Stand "B" will not be used unless expressly ordered to be used by the team warden. The lethal chemicals will remain secure until the executioners arrive. No one other than the executioners will have access to the lethal chemicals, unless a stay is granted, in which case the execution team member who prepared the lethal chemicals will retrieved them from the locked room and dispose of them according to state and federal law.

(h) A designated execution team member will prepare, using an aseptic technique, two (2) standard intravenous (IV) infusion sets, each consisting of a pre-filled, sterile plastic bag of normal saline tor IV use (a solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% concentration) with an attached drip chamber, a long sterile tube fitted with a back check valve and a clamp to regulate the flow, a connector to attach to the access device, and an extension set fitted with a luer lock tip for a blood cannula to allow for the infusion of the lethal chemicals into the line. The extension set that will be used to infuse the lethal chemicals into the primary injection line will be clearly marked and the additional extension set will be attached to the secondary injection line that will be clearly marked.

(i) The team warden will explain the lethal injection preparation procedure to the inmate and ensure the provision of any medical assistance or care deemed appropriate. The inmate will be offered and, if accepted, will be administered an intramuscular injection of diazepam, in an appropriate dosage relative to weight, to ease anxiety.

(j) Authorized media witnesses will be picked up at the designated media on-looker area located at New River Correctional Institution by two (2) designated Department of Corrections vehicles and transported to the main entrance of Florida State Prison as a group, cleared by security, and escorted to the population visiting park, where they will  remain until being escorted to the witness room of the execution chamber by the designated escort staff.

(k) Upon the arrival of the executioners to perform their duties, the team warden will administer both a presumptive drug test (oral swab method) and a presumptive alcohol test (breath analyzer) to each executioner. A positive indication for the presence of alcohol or any chemical substance that may impair their normal faculties will disqualify that person from participating in the execution process. If one or both of the executioners is disqualified, the team warden will continue to select and test as many additional executioners as is necessary to ensure the presence of two qualitied executioners at the execution.

Approximately Thirty (30) Minutes Prior to Execution:

(a) A designated execution team member will establish telephone communication with the Office of the Governor on behalf of the team warden. The phone line will remain open to the Office of the Governor during the entire execution procedure. The team member will use this open line to report the ongoing activities of the execution team and other personnel to the Office of the Governor.

(b) A designated member of the execution team will escort the two (2) executioners into the executioner’s room where they will remain until the execution process is complete.

(c) The team warden will read the Warrant of Execution to the inmate. The inmate may waive the reading of the warrant.

(d) Designated members of the execution team will apply wrist restraints to the inmate and escort him/her from his cell to the execution chamber.

(e) Designated members of the execution team will assist the inmate, if necessary, in positioning himself/herself onto the execution gurney in the execution chamber.

(f) Designated members of the execution team will secure the restraining straps.

(g) One or more designated members of the execution team will attach the leads to two (2) heart monitors to the inmate's chest, ensuring that the monitors are operational both before and after the chest restraints are secured.

(h) Unless the team warden has previously determined to gain venous access through a central line, a designated team member will insert one intravenous (IV) line into each arm at the medial aspect of the antecubital fossa of the inmate and ensure that the saline drip is flowing freely. The team member will designate one IV line as the primary line and clearly identify it with the number "1" The team member will designate the other line as the secondary line and clearly identify it with the number “2”.  If venous access cannot be achieved in either or both of the arms, access will be secured at other appropriate sites until peripheral venous access is achieved at two separate locations, one identified as the primary injection site and the other identified as the seconda1y injection site. (this sometimes occurs)

(i) If peripheral venous access cannot be achieved, a designated team member will perform a central venous line placement, with or without a venous cut-down (wherein a vein is exposed surgically and a cannula is inserted), at one or more sites deemed appropriate bv that team member. If two sites are accessed, each line will be identified with a "1" or 2." depending on their identification as the primary and secondary lines.

(j) One or more designated members of the execution team will remove one at a time from the pole attached to the gurney, the two (2) saline bags and pass the bags, along with the extension sets attached to lines labeled "1" and "2:· through a small opening into the executioner's room where a team member will hang the bags on separate hooks inside the room. The designated team member(s) will ensure that the tubing from the IV insertion points to the bags has not been compromised and that the saline drip is flowing freely. The team member will be responsible for continuously monitoring the viability of the IV lines prior to and during the administration of the execution. 

Approximately Fifteen (15) Minutes Prior to Execution:

(a) Official witnesses will be secured in the witness room of the execution chamber by two designated Depa11ment of Corrections escort staff. 

(b) Authorized media witnesses will be secured in the witness room of the execution chamber.

(c) The only persons authorized in the witness room are: twelve (12) official witnesses, including family members of the victim, four (4) alternate official witnesses, one (1) nurse or medical technician, twelve (12) authorized media representatives, one (1) representative from the Department's public affairs office. One (1) designated staff escort, and one (1) designated team member. Any exception must be approved by the institutional warden.

(d) The execution chamber will be secured. Only the team warden, one (1) additional execution team member and one (1) FDLE monitor shall be allowed in the chamber during the administration of the execution. Any exception must be approved by the team warden. 

(e) The executioner's room will be secured. Only the executioners, the team member reporting actions in the executioner's room to the warden the team member repo11ing actions to the Office of the Governor, the team member observing the heart monitors, the team member maintaining the checklists, and the FDLE agent assigned to the executioner's room shall be allowed in the executioner's room. Any exception must be approved by the team warden.

Administration of Execution

(a) An execution team member will open the covering to the witness gallery window. The team warden will use the open telephone line to determine from the Governor whether there has been a stay of execution. If the team warden receives a negative response, he or she will then proceed with the execution.

(b) An execution team member will turn on the PA system. The team warden will permit the inmate to make an oral statement, which will be broadcast into the witness gallery over the PA system. At the conclusion of the inmate’s statement or if the inmate declines to make a statement, the team warden will announce that the execution process has begun. A designated member of the execution team will turn off the PA system.

c) In the presence of the secondary executioner and within sight of one (1) or more execution team members and one (1) of the FDLE monitors, the primary executioner will administer the lethal chemicals in the following manner:

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number one (1), which contains two hundred and fifty milligrams (250 mg) of midazolam hydrochloride solution, (puts him to sleep) place the blunt cannula into the open poet of the IV extension set connected to the primary line and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV port at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, he or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number three (3), which contains twenty milliliters (20 ml) of saline solution, place the blunt cannula into the open port of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV port at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, He or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

At this point, the team warden will assess whether the inmate is unconscious. The team warden must determine, after consultation, that the inmate is indeed unconscious. If the inmate is unconscious and the team warden orders the executioners to continue, the executioners shall proceed to step ( 6).

In the event that the inmate is not unconscious, the team warden shall signal that the execution process is suspended and note the time and order the window covering to the witness gallery to be closed. The execution team shall assess the viability of the secondary access site. If the secondary access site is deemed viable, then the team member shall designate this site as the new primary access site. If the secondary access site is compromised, a designated execution team member will secure peripheral venous access at another appropriate site or will perform central venous line placement, with or without a venous cut-clown, at one or more sites deemed appropriate by that team member.

Once the team warden is assured that the team has secured a viable access site, the team warden shall order the drapes to be opened and signal that the execution process will resume. The executioners will then be directed to initiate the administration of lethal chemicals from stand  B  into the newly established primary line, starting with the syringes of midazolam hydrochloride, labeled one (1) and two· (2) and the first syringe of saline. The executioners will continue to use the remaining chemicals from stand B throughout the execution at the direction of team warden. The team warden will then again proceed to step (4) and assess whether the inmate is unconscious. (There have been times when the executioners have had great difficulty in finding an appropriate vein)

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number four (4), which contains fifty milligrams (50 mg) of vecuronium bromide, (an adjunct to general anesthesia) place the blunt cannula into the open port of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV port at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, he or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number five (5), which contains tilly milligrams (50 mg) of vecuronium bromide, (an adjunct to general anesthesia and can stop the lungs from functioning) place the blunt cannula into the open po11 of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV pot1 at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, he or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number six (6), which contains twenty milliliters (20 mg) of saline solution place the blunt cannula into the open port of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV port at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, he or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number seven (7), which contains one hundred twenty milli-equivalents (120 mg) of potassium chloride, (stops the heart from functioning) place the blunt cannula into the open port of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV po11 at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, he or she will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

The executioner will remove from the stand on the worktop the syringe labeled number eight (8), which contains one hundred twenty milli-equivalents (120 mg) of potassium chloride, place the blunt cannula into the open port of the IV extension set connected to the primary line, and push the entire contents of that syringe into the IV port at a rate that meets the injection resistance of the cannula. When the syringe is depleted, s/he will hand the empty syringe to the secondary executioner for safe disposal.

This is what kills the condemned person

If at any time during the administration of the lethal chemicals the primary venous access becomes compromised, the team warden shall order the execution process stopped and order the window covering to the witness gallery to be closed. The execution team shall assess the primary access site and assess the viability of the secondary access site and take appropriate remedial action at the access site, if necessary. If neither access site is viable, a designated execution team member will secure peripheral venous access at another appropriate site or will perform a central venous line placement, with or without a venous cut-down, at one or more sites deemed appropriate by that team member. Once the team warden is assured that the execution team has secured a viable access site, the warden shall order the drapes to be opened and direct that the execution process will resume using the newly established primary line.

The executioners will be directed to initiate the administration of lethal chemicals from stand B into the IV set attached to the newly established primary line, stat1ing with the syringes of midazolam hydrochloride, labeled one (1) and two (2) and the first syringe of saline, labeled number three (3). The team warden will then proceed to step (c)(4), as described above.

Throughout the execution process, one (1) or more designated execution team members will observe the heart monitors. If the heart monitors ret1ect a t1at line reading during or following the complete administration of the lethal chemicals. a physician will examine the inmate to determine whether there is complete cessation of respiration and heartbeat.

Once the inmate is pronounced dead by the physician, a designated member of the execution team will record the time of death on the appropriate lethal injection procedures checklist. The team warden will notify the Governor via the open phone line that the sentence has been carried out and the time of death.

A designated execution team member will turn on the PA system. The team warden shall make the following announcement to the witnesses in the gallery: “The sentence of the State of Florida vs. [Inmate Name] has been carried out at [time of day].”

The designated Department of Corrections escort staff will escort the official witnesses and all of the media pool from the witness room of the execution chamber.

The inmate's body will be transported by the hearse attendants to the medical examiner's office in Alachua County for an autopsy. That is the correct procedure because the execution of the condemned although legal is still a homicide so the coroner has to make a finding of death by homicide.  Then the body is turned over to the family for burial. If no family claims the body, the government of Florida will see to the burial.

Alas, this method of execution doesn’t always bring out the desired results. Recently, a man was heard groaning after the lethal drug was delivered into his vein. His heart continued to beat. He was removed from the gurney and placed in a cell. Soon after, his heart stopped.

The Florida legislature is considering abolishing capital punishment in its State.

Expect with respect to the use of lethal chemicals, the same procedures were used when the State used the electric chair.

There are no juveniles currently on Death Row in Florida. Death Row inmates younger than 16 at the time of their offense were adjudicated as adults in court proceedings. Two 16-year-old youths were executed. One in 1941 and the other in 1944.

Douglas R. Meeks was placed on Death Row March 21, 1975. The date of offense was October 24, 1976. Four others have been on death row longer, but their sentences were vacated and then reinstated. They got a new trial; or there was some other change to their sentence so they were not continuously on death row, though all are back now. They are Norman Parker (1967), Freddie Hall (1968), Dean Kilgore (1971) and James Rose (1971). Parker has been waiting for his execution for the past 47 years. At the time of this writing, he is still alive.

A Death Row cell is 6 x 9 x 9.5 feet high. Florida State Prison also has Death Watch cells to incarcerate inmates awaiting execution after the Governor signs a death warrant for them. A Death Watch cell is 12 x 7 x 8.5 feet high.

Men on Death Row are housed at the Florida State Prison in Raiford.  and the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford,. The women on Death Row are housed at the Lowell Annex in Lowell.

Death Row inmates are served meals three times a day: at 5:00 am, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Food is prepared by prison staff and transported in insulated carts to the cells. Inmates are given sporks (combination fork and spoon) with their meals and they eat from the provided tray. Prior to execution, an inmate may request a last meal. To avoid extravagance, the food to prepare the last meal must cost no more than $40 and must be purchased locally.

All inmate visitors must be approved before visitation is allowed. Members of the news media may request Death Row inmate interviews through the Department of Corrections Communications Office.  The inmate must agree to the interview and the interview will be non-contact.

Death Row inmates are counted at least once an hour. They are escorted in handcuffs and wear them everywhere except in their cells, the exercise yard and the shower (which they can shower every other day). They are in their cells at all times except for medical reasons, exercise, social or legal visits or media interviews. When a death warrant is signed, the inmate is put under Death Watch status and is allowed a legal and social phone call.

One inmate on Death Row in Raiford tricked a guard into entering his cell alone. He murdered the guard and then got into the guard’s clothes  He managed to walk through all the prison gates inside the prison without being detected and just as he was walking past the outside prison gate, he was recognized by the guard that was arriving to take over from the murdered guard’s shift. 

Inmates may receive mail every day except holidays and weekends. They may have snacks, radios and 13 inch television sets in their cells. They do not have cable television or air-conditioning and they are not allowed to be with each other in a common room. They can watch church services on closed circuit television. While on Death Watch, inmates may have radios and televisions positioned outside their cell bars.

Death Row inmates can be distinguished from other inmates by their orange t-shirts. Their pants are the same blue colored pants worn by regular inmates.

I am not convinced that the guards should be permitted to use the phrase, “Dead man walking.”  That is akin to stabbing a man in the back and then walking away with the handle.

In the 1973 movie, Soylent Green, elderly Edward G. Robinson has had enough of life and chooses to be euthanized. He walks into a building and is guided to a special room where he lies on a comfortable bed surrounded with live pictures of beautiful scenes of forests and fields of flowers on the surrounding walls accompanied with soft music he has chosen. Within minutes he goes to sleep and dies. No. I am not suggesting that murderers should have that option. But gasping for breath and twisting and turning on the gurney is also something that should not be occurring either.