The Guardian US reports on Reprieve analysis of the execution of Joe Nathan James Jr in Alabama last month, potentially the longest lethal injection in recorded American history, at three to three and a half hours, because of unsuccessful attempts to insert an IV line.
Director of Reprieve US, Maya Foa said “Subjecting a prisoner to three hours of pain and suffering is the definition of cruel and unusual punishment. States cannot continue to pretend that the abhorrent practice of lethal injection is in any way humane.”
She added: “First, [it was] a torturous procedure behind closed doors, then a theatrical performance for witnesses. Instead of learning the lessons from Alabama’s failed attempt to execute Doyle Lee Hamm, Alabama officials appear to be using it as a template. This is the latest example of the extreme lengths states will go to hide the brutal reality of lethal injection because they know the public would oppose it if they found out what was really going on.”