Tennessee switches to single-drug execution protocol

NASHVILLE (WATE), Monday 30 September 2013: The Tennessee Department of Correction issued a revised protocol Friday for court ordered executions.
 

The department will now use a single drug instead of the previous three-drug method. The new protocol allows sole use of the sedative pentobarbital.
 

The department says the drug has been upheld in court challenges and used in other states.

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate used for medical purposes as a sedative and anesthetic.
 

The last major revision to the state's execution protocols came in 2007, when then-Gov. Phil Bredesen issued an executive order to review the policies and procedures and ordered a moratorium on executions.

Courtesy: Institute of American Studies