More Executioner Training Needed, Florida Panel Advises

Those who administer lethal injections to death row inmates should receive additional training, and the consciousness of the inmates should also be monitored throughout the execution process, an advisory panel in Florida recommends.

The panel of 11 members was appointed to review the death penalty procedures in Florida after an execution in December 2006 took double the time and required an additional dose of toxic chemicals.

Unnecessary Pain and Suffering

According to some witnesses, the convicted murderer Angel Nieves Diaz appeared to be in immense pain. This caused former governor Jeb Bush to suspend all future executions to prevent death row inmates from experiencing unnecessary pain and suffering.

The executioner in Diaz’s case testified that he hadn’t gotten training in at least seven years, which the majority of panelists noted was inadequate.

However, not all panel members agreed with the early recommendations, claiming that executioners with advanced medical training would be violating their profession’s ethical code. “The state doesn’t require teachers and lawyers to perform tasks that are unethical,” said Dr. David Varlotta, an anesthesiologist.

The members will meet once more to create a final draft of recommendations to submit for a vote next week.

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