Opinion ID: 1706754
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Effective for Executions After April 16, 1997

Text: The following designated staff shall perform specific job assignments related to executions. In the absence of any the assigned staff, the person or persons acting in their stead shall assume the described specific duties. For executions scheduled for ________, the following times apply. If an execution is scheduled for any other time of the day, exact hour differences shall be implemented. DATE OF EXECUTION: ________ CONDEMNED INMATE'S NAME/DC NUMBER: _________ _____ The _______________ shall personally prepare and serve last meal. Eating utensils allowed shall be a plate and a spoon. _____ A. Beginning at _____, the only staff authorized on _____________. ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ B. The _______ shall supervise the shaving of the condemned inmate's head and right leg. C. Official witnesses shall report to Florida State Prison's Administration Building no later than _______. The witnesses shall be greeted by two designated Department of Corrections' staff, and, as a group, shall be escorted by the designated staff to the Main Entrance of Florida State Prison, cleared by security, and then escorted to the staff dining room, where they shall remain until escorted to the witness room of the execution chamber by the designated escort staff. _____ Authorized media witnesses shall be picked up at the designated media onlooker area located at New River Correctional Institution by two designated Department of Corrections' escort staff, transported to the Main Entrance of Florida State Prison, as a group, cleared by security, and escorted to the population visiting park, where they shall remain until escorted to the witness room of the execution chamber by the designated escort staff. A. The condemned inmate shall be escorted to the shower area where the _____ shall supervise the showering of the condemned inmate. Immediately thereafter, the inmate shall be returned to the assigned cell and issued underwear, a pair of trousers, a dress shirt or blouse (as appropriate), and socks. The _____ shall be responsible for the delivery of the clothing. B. The _____ shall be instructed by _____ to forward all calls to the Execution Chamber from the Governor's Office through switchboard extension ____. Should institutional telephone lines fail at any time during this process, the _____ shall immediately advise the Command Center, which is located within hearing range of the switchboard. C. The designated ______, the designated _______, two designated _______, and _______ shall report to the execution chamber for preparations. The designated _______ shall check the telephones in the chamber and ensure that a fully-charged cellular telephone is in the execution chamber. Sample telephone calls shall be placed from each telephone to assure proper operation. D. The designated _______ shall check the public address system for proper operation. E. The designated _______ shall ready the equipment. The _______ shall mix the saturated saline solution and place the two natural sea sponges in the solution. (See Testing Procedures for Electric Chair for composition of saturated saline solution.) _______ A. The designated _______ shall establish telephone communication with the Governor's Office on behalf of _______. The phone line shall remain open to the Governor's Office during the entire execution proceeding. B. The _______ shall verify water _____ has been turned off. The _______ is present in the execution chamber. A. The _______ shall assure that the salt-free, hypoallergenic electrically-conductive gel is applied to the crown of the shaven head and calf of the right leg in a total application of approximately 4 ounces. _____________ B. The _______ shall read the Death Warrant to the condemned inmate. C. Official witnesses shall be secured in the witness room of the execution chamber by two designated Department of Corrections' escort staff no later than _______. D. Authorized media witnesses shall be secured in the witness room of the execution chamber by two designated Department of Corrections' escort staff no later than _______. _____ Witness room of the execution chamber is secured. The only persons authorized in the witness room are: 12 official witnesses (includes 1 Department of Corrections' Inspector General designee) 4 alternate official witnesses 1 nurse or medical technician 12 authorized media representatives 1 Department of Corrections' Information Services representative 1 designated Department of Corrections' staff escort 1 designated Department of Corrections' security officer Any exception to the above-designated persons must be approved by ____________. _____ The execution chamber is secured. The only persons authorized in the execution chamber are: _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ Any exception to the above designated persons must be approved by ____________. _______ A. The _______ shall apply the restraints to the condemned inmate for escort into the execution chamber. B. The _____ and the _____ shall escort the condemned inmate to the execution chamber. (The _____ may designate other or additional staff if the condemned inmate is female.) C. The designated _____ shall record the time the inmate enters the execution chamber. Time Inmate Enters Chamber: _____ D. The _____ and the _____ shall place the condemned inmate in the electric chair. E. The _____ shall secure lap, chest, arm, and forearm straps. F. When the inmate is secured, the _____ and _____ shall remove the restraint apparatus and secure the ankle straps. G. The _____ and the _____ shall secure the leg piece and sponge to the inmate's right leg calf. Those involved in this process shall assure that the sponge covers all areas of the electrode, preventing any direct contact of the brass electrode and the condemned man's skin, and shall assure that the sponge is sufficiently wet (slightly dripping). As the leg piece is secured, any dripping/running saline solution shall be dried with clean towels. _____ A. The _____ shall permit the condemned inmate to make a last statement. B. The _____ and the _____ shall secure the chin strap. C. The _____ shall secure the head piece assembly. Those involved in this process shall assure that the sponge covers all areas of the electrode, preventing any direct contact of the brass electrode and the condemned inmate's skin, and shall assure that the sponge is sufficiently wet (slightly dripping). As the head piece is secured, any dripping/running saline solution shall be dried with clean towels. D. _____ shall then proceed to the outside open telephone line to inquire of any possible stays of execution. If there are no stays, _____ shall proceed with the execution. E. The _____ shall close the safety switch. F. _____ shall activate the execution control panel. G. _____ shall give the signal to to engage the execution switch and the automatic cycle will begin. H. The designated _____ or _____ shall record the time the execution switch is engaged. Time Execution Switch Engaged: _____ I. The automatic cycle begins with the programmed 2,300 volts, 9.5 amps, for 8 seconds; 1,000 volts, 4 amps for 22 seconds; and 2,300 volts, 9.5 amps for 8 seconds. When the cycle is complete, the equipment is manually disconnected by _____. The safety switch is then opened by _____. J. The designated _____ shall record the time the execution switch is disengaged. Time Execution Switch Disengaged: _____ K. The _____ directs the _____ (or other designated _____ ) to conduct their examination of the condemned inmate. L. If the condemned inmate is not pronounced dead by the _____, _____ shall order the execution cycle to be repeated. M. Once the condemned inmate is pronounced dead by _____, the designated _____ shall record the time death is pronounced. Time Inmate Pronounced Dead: _____ N. The _____ shall notify the Governor via the open phone line that the sentence has been carried out and the time the inmate is pronounced dead. O. The designated _____ shall announce that the sentence has been carried out and directs witnesses and media to exit the witness room of the execution chamber. The sentence of the State of Florida vs. _____ has been carried out at _____ am/pm. Please exit to the rear at this time. P. The official witnesses, except the designated _____, and media pool shall then be escorted from the witness room of the execution chamber by the designated Department of Corrections' escort staff. Q. The designated _____ witness shall remain in the witness chamber. After all other witnesses have exited the building, the _____ shall be allowed entry to the execution chamber for evidence collection. The _____ shall be allowed to collect both the head and leg sponges, which shall be placed in a plastic gag and securely sealed, inspect equipment, make notes, and depart with these materials. If an unusual incident/problem should occur during an execution, the _____ shall also be allowed to photograph narrow and specific electrode contact points only.