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| Oklahoma new death chamber |
Executions are on hold in Oklahoma until next year, but the Department of Corrections says its new death chamber is ready.
Up until this time last month, the state was scheduled to carry out its 1st death sentence since a botched execution in April. That execution was slated for tonight, November 13.
The DOC even invited members of the media to tour the renovated facility, including Good Morning Texoma anchor Monte Brown.
The "H" unit, or death row, is a place where few people will ever visit. But after it took the State of Oklahoma 43 minutes to execute condemned murderer Clayton Lockett in April, it's one of the most controversial places in the country. It's even raising questions in the White House Press Room.
Since that time, the state has spent over $100,000 in renovations and medical equipment.
"The changes were mandated and requested in the public safety investigation following the Lockett execution. They are also things Director Patton saw during that execution that he felt we could change," explained Terri Watkins of the Department of Corrections.
Over $70,000 went into construction and DOC agent Scott Crow oversaw it all.
"This area is what we refer to as the operations room," explained Crow as he gave a tour of the newly redone execution chamber.
This is where the DOC's execution team will work from when administering lethal drugs and monitoring the inmate. They'll be using $34,000 worth of new state-of-the-art medical equipment.
"You see we have an ECG machine. This machine has the capability of monitoring blood pressure. Monitoring oxygen levels in the blood and also monitoring heart activity," said Crow.
They also have a new ultrasound machine. The DPS report called for it, and other things they won't talk about.
"To make sure we have the supplies and equipment needed when an event is scheduled," said Crow as he offered insight into the new additions.
The staff will now be able to monitor the inmate like never before. New cameras are positioned over the head and the bed. They do not record, but the team will see first-hand what's happening on the other side of the wall. The wall, which up until now, did not even have a window into the death chamber. Previously, they could not see the inmate at all.
"We also installed a two-way intercom system. One of the intercoms is on this side of the wall, the other is in the execution area. So, we have the ability to communicate through those means as well," said Crow.
Before the intercom system was installed, they used paper and pencil.
"We basically created a multi-layered level of communication between the two, which absolutely negates the need for any type of pencil," said Crow.
Only 1 member of the team will actually be with the inmate in the death chamber once the process begins.
The DOC will also have a new bed for the next offender.
"The bed that was here previous was a 1950's version bed that was fragile at best. (It) was experiencing some mechanical problems. We can actually raise and lower the bed to accommodate, to ensure everyone can see," said Crow.
Along with the bed comes new restraints.
"With this bed, we actually have a multi-layered restraint system," said Crow.
Head, feet and across the body restraints are present. It's an important feature, because Clayton Lockett was able to raise his upper body during his execution. The chamber also a new microphone system.
"That mic is on whenever the offender is read the warrant, as well as when they make their last statement and then again when the physician pronounces that the offender is conscious or unconscious," explained Crow.
Family members, and those close to the offender's victims, will be able to hear and watch the proceedings through a new one-way glass, so they can view privately.
The inmate's family and other witnesses will be seated in front of them.
"We've placed permanent chairs that are affixed to the floor and the landing to improve on security so chairs can't be picked up," said Crow.
There are 19 seats now, there were 25 chairs before the change.
"The area that the seats have been taken from is primarily to expand that operation center, which is absolutely necessary and was mandated by the Department of Public Safety report," explained Watkins.
Some of those seats used to be reserved for media witnesses.
"Taking it from 12 down to 5 did not see like an unusual move. Historically, we have seen, I guess for the past decade, 3 reporters attending executions prior to the Lockett execution," said Watkins.
With interest in the state's next death penalty reaching far and wide, Watkins says Oklahoma media outlets will be given preference to witness the sentence being carried out.
"I have absolute faith in the media's ability to accurately report what's going on," said Watkins.
The Department of Corrections is facing several lawsuits over Lockett's execution, some of them from media, and that's why officials will not talk about protocol. In other words, who's going to do what during the process and how it's going to work.
Convicted killer Charles Warner was set to be put to death on November 13, but about a month ago Attorney General Scott Pruitt asked that his and 2 others' sentences be postponed until January and February.
He cited a lack of lethal injection drugs and medical staff.
Source: KSWO news, November 13, 2014
