Oklahoma recently began a new way to parole inmates in its prison system. In 2018, the Legislature approved House Bill 2286 among a host of criminal justice reform measures, reported the Oklahoma Watch. They established it as what they called administrative parole, rather than the traditional way of paroling, according to the article. “If you meet the five statutory requirements, we skip that part,” said Justin Wolfe, general counsel for the Pardon and Parole Board. Wolfe is referring to the process where inmates have had to appear … [Read more...] about Oklahoma initiates new parole reforms
Oklahoma
Inert gas asphyxiation the new method of execution
Alabama lawmakers in March voted to authorize a method of execution that has never been used before—inert gas asphyxiation. Lawmakers say this alternative method is a more humane way to carry out capital punishment. It works by directing the inmate to breathe inert gas as opposed to oxygen. Examples of such gases include helium, methane and nitrogen. The Associated Press reported that inhaling nitrogen gas is “like dying on a plane that depressurizes in flight, swiftly killing all aboard.” Perhaps that’s why 51 of Alabama’s 180 death row … [Read more...] about Inert gas asphyxiation the new method of execution
States struggle to carry out executions
Lethal injections, legal battles and difficulty obtaining drugs have forced a number of states to find alternative ways to carry out the death penalty, reports the New York Times. Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi have authorized the use of inhaling the inert gas nitrogen for executions. “An oxygen-deficient atmosphere” can knock a person unconscious after just one or two breaths and “the exposed person has no warning and cannot sense that the oxygen level is too low,” according to a report from the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard … [Read more...] about States struggle to carry out executions