SOLUTION TO IDAHO'S PRISONER EXECUTION WOES IS FOUND

During a recent broadcast, a producer for the Casper and Chris (Talk Radio) show on [93.1 fm/670 am] KBOI made a comment regarding a means of Idaho (and other States for that matter) carrying out executions of prisoners. His off-hand comment got me to thinking...

The producer (name withheld) opined that someone might outfit a tractor-trailer to be used as a mobile death chamber that could be used to travel the country, performing executions. There is precedent kind of thing, though not exactly on point. The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) - as do most states - contracts with any number of for-profit corporate vendors and contractors to provide services to the department and to prisoners, whether to create an impediment to liability, receive financial kickbacks, or both.

To fully realize the corporate model, a company looking to privatize and outsource the execution process could procure and maintain chemicals required for lethal injection (vary by jurisdiction), ammunition for firing squads, or gases used for execution by nitrogen narcosis. Further, specially trained personnel to perform the executions could be supplied through the company, thereby removing state officials and department medical staff from the execution loop.

These practices would [in theory] help prevent incompetence that could lead to botched, incomplete or unconstitutionally cruel or unusual activities, means or methods in carrying out death sentences.

[Semi]tractor trailer units could be specially equipped for specific types of executions. Trailers designated for execution by firing squad could be outfitted with appropriate anti-ballistic paneling, sandbags and other safety equipment. Executions using lethal injection or nitrogen narcosis would have trailers outfitted with mechanical/electronic equipment to deliver the appropriate chemicals or gases and physical structure(s) such as strap down tables, automated injection/ventilation machines and gurneys necessary to perform the task. Units would all contain operating electrocardiographs (EKG), crash carts and defibrillators.

These units could be driven into prison facility grounds days before any scheduled execution for preparation and inspection. Each unit would be totally self contained, with on-board power, plumbing, audio, HVAC, time keeping and telecommunications devices as well as biohazard mitigation capabilities. Unmarked tractors and trailers would not attract undue attention coming or going, and would be licensed/registered as would any other commercial vehicle of that size.

All execution trailers could be wired with WiFi, cameras or other equipment necessary to record or live feed activities going on inside the trailer. If necessary, specific trailer types (or alterations) could be used which would allow for live viewing of an execution by the public and government officials where desired or required by applicable law.

Once an execution has been completed, corrections staff (or their designees) would inspect and seal the trailer. The unit could then be removed from the facility grounds for complete biohazard cleaning and verification of equipment operation. Recordings of all aspects of the execution, from various angles and perspectives, would be available [only] to appropriate government officials as requested.

In Idaho, the Department of Correction recently spent $150,000 for three doses of drugs intended to be used in the execution of prisoners. These drugs have a specific shelf life, expiring after a date certain, and once that expiration date has passed, the chemicals will have to be discarded. It is clear then that either the state has taxpayer dollars (or kickback money) to waste on these drugs, knowing they will expire - or they're planning on stepping up the execution process in the state.