"Lethal Injection Procedures," as officially established by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation:
In advance of the execution, syringes containing the following are prepared:
5.0 grams of sodium pentothal in 20-25 cc of diluent
50 cc of pancuronium bromide
50 cc of potassium chloride
Each chemical is lethal in the amounts administered.
At the warden’s signal, sodium pentothal is administered, then the line is flushed with sterile normal saline solution. This is followed by pancuronium bromide, a saline flush, and finally, potassium chloride. As required by the California Penal Code, a physician is present to declare when death occurs.
In 129 nations, the death penalty has either been officially abolished, or not used for at least ten years.
Twenty-five countries still use the death penalty. The only European nation to still execute its prisoners is Belarus.
The nations making the Top Ten for number of judicial killings in 2006 are as follows:
China
Iran
Pakistan
Iraq
Sudan
United States of America
Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Vietnam
Kuwait
No further comment.
