Difference between revisions of "Lethal injection"
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'''Lethal injection''' is a method of [[execution]] used in [[capital punishment]]. The usual procedure for lethal injection involves strapping a prisoner down to a gurney-style bed. Two sets of [[intravenous]] tubes are inserted into each of the prisoner's arms. A typical lethal injection will include three [[drug]]s: | '''Lethal injection''' is a method of [[execution]] used in [[capital punishment]]. The usual procedure for lethal injection involves strapping a prisoner down to a gurney-style bed. Two sets of [[intravenous]] tubes are inserted into each of the prisoner's arms. A typical lethal injection will include three [[drug]]s: | ||
* [[Sodium Pentathol]] - a sedative to put the prisoner to sleep | * [[Sodium Pentathol]] - a sedative to put the prisoner to sleep | ||
| − | * [[Pancuronium Bromide]] - a [[paralysis|paralyzing]] agent that | + | * [[Pancuronium Bromide]] - a [[paralysis|paralyzing]] agent that stops the prisoner's breathing |
* [[Potassium Chloride]] - a drug that causes the [[heart]] to cease beating. | * [[Potassium Chloride]] - a drug that causes the [[heart]] to cease beating. | ||
| − | + | An alternative method uses only Sodium Pentathol as the single drug, in a lethal quantity. | |
| − | + | Lethal injection was first used on December 7, 1982, when Charlie Brooks was executed in [[Texas]].<ref>http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm</ref> | |
| − | Lethal injection is the preferred method for executions in the [[United States]]. It has also been used in [[China]], [[Guatemala]] and the [[Philippines]]. <ref>http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/injection.html</ref> | + | Death by lethal injection has not traditionally been believed to be painful as the inmate will lose consciousness prior to the death-inducing drugs being pumped in their veins. Recent medical findings, however, have called this into question.<ref>http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/264/story/19957.html</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | Lethal injection is the preferred method for executions in the [[United States]]. It has also been used in [[China]], [[Guatemala]] and the [[Philippines]].<ref>http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/injection.html</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Punishment]] |
Latest revision as of 23:23, January 31, 2019
Lethal injection is a method of execution used in capital punishment. The usual procedure for lethal injection involves strapping a prisoner down to a gurney-style bed. Two sets of intravenous tubes are inserted into each of the prisoner's arms. A typical lethal injection will include three drugs:
- Sodium Pentathol - a sedative to put the prisoner to sleep
- Pancuronium Bromide - a paralyzing agent that stops the prisoner's breathing
- Potassium Chloride - a drug that causes the heart to cease beating.
An alternative method uses only Sodium Pentathol as the single drug, in a lethal quantity.
Lethal injection was first used on December 7, 1982, when Charlie Brooks was executed in Texas.[1]
Death by lethal injection has not traditionally been believed to be painful as the inmate will lose consciousness prior to the death-inducing drugs being pumped in their veins. Recent medical findings, however, have called this into question.[2]
Lethal injection is the preferred method for executions in the United States. It has also been used in China, Guatemala and the Philippines.[3]