Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Disease, suicide killing Alabama inmates faster than execution

Disease and suicide are claiming inmates on Alabama's death row faster than the executioner.

With Alabama's capital punishment mechanism on hold for more than two years because of legal challenges and a shortage of drugs for lethal injections, five of the state's death row inmates have died without ever seeing the inside of the execution chamber.

Prison officials say three inmates have died of natural causes since the state's last execution on July 25, 2013. Two others committed suicide by hanging themselves.

With 189 people currently on death row, the state is trying to resume executions. But legal challenges could be a roadblock.

The state is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by death row inmate over the use of a new sedative for lethal injections.

News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.