MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers are trying to shield the identities of companies that provide the state with execution drugs, but even without it, the Alabama Department of Corrections releases little information about the process of putting a person the death.
The prison system declined to release the suppliers and other information about the process of execution. The Associated Press requested information about drug purchases, as well as the execution protocol, including the procedures to make sure an inmate is unconscious.
The prison system cited ongoing litigation and said the department considers the information confidential.
The Alabama House of Representatives approved a bill that would make the suppliers of execution drugs a state secret. Rep. Lynn Greer said the secrecy is needed because states are having trouble obtaining the drugs.