The Standard: Fair and Reasonable Execution Practices in Tennessee

Our position

We take no position on whether Tennessee should have the death penalty. We take a firm position that if the state carries out executions in the public's name, it must do so lawfully, competently, transparently and humanely, and it must be honest with the public and with victims' families when it fails.

That is not a radical idea. It is the standard Tennesseans expect from every other part of government. On September 30, 2026, the state did not meet it. The Department of Correction said it "followed every step" of its protocol[1]. As state Sen. Raumesh Akbari put it: "If that is true, then the protocol itself is a problem"[2].

A pattern, not an accident

2018-22: An independent review later found Tennessee did not follow its own lethal injection protocol for four years, and that drugs for executions in that period were not fully tested[3].
2022: Oscar Smith's execution is halted an hour beforehand over untested drugs. Executions pause; the governor commissions the Stanton review and releases it publicly[4][5].
2024: A new protocol is adopted. The state declines to release it, saying it "is not a public record"[6]. At 44 pages, it carries far less detail on drug testing and storage than the 99-page version it replaced[7].
May 2026: Tony Carruthers is punctured at least a dozen times over more than an hour. The execution is called off[8].
Sept 2026: Christa Pike receives two full doses of pentobarbital and survives. The curtain is closed for 48 minutes while witnesses can only listen[1].

Nationally, at least 64 executions have been botched since 1982, and seven attempts failed entirely[7]. Lethal injection has the highest botch rate of any method studied[9].

The eight standards

A truly independent review, released in full
What happened. TDOC says it followed protocol. Lawmakers have warned that the officials who ran the process should not pick its investigators[2].
The standard. The review ordered on Sept. 30 should be led by someone outside the Department of Correction and the Attorney General's office, with access to every record, and its findings released publicly, as the 2022 report was[5].
A public protocol
What happened. The current protocol was withheld from the public, although state law calls for redacting confidential details rather than withholding an entire record[6].
The standard. Publish the full protocol. Redact only what identifies execution staff.
Tested, documented drugs
What happened. From 2018 to 2022, required drug testing was not done[3]. The state has not said whether the drug used on Pike was compounded[7]. Her lawyers allege it was degraded[10].
The standard. Independent testing for potency, purity and contamination before every execution, with the results, expiration date and drug type disclosed to the courts.
A clear stop rule and emergency care
What happened. The protocol calls for a backup set of syringes but says nothing about what happens if the backup also fails[11]. Her lawyers said no emergency medical care was ready[10].
The standard. If an execution does not go as intended, it stops. Emergency medical care is on site and used immediately. No further attempt without a court hearing.
Qualified personnel and medical screening
What happened. The 2022 review found the executioner had no formal health-care training[3]. Pike's lawyers warned in advance about her blood disorder and small veins[12][11].
The standard. A documented medical assessment before any execution date is carried out, and a team whose training and qualifications are verified by an outside reviewer. Many medical professionals object to taking part in executions at all[13], so the state has to answer this question honestly, not leave it to chance.
Full witness access
What happened. Curtains were closed while Pike was alive, and the chamber microphone cut out at 8:53 p.m.[1]. A court had ordered full media access, but that order was blocked before the Carruthers execution[8].
The standard. Witnesses see and hear the whole process, from the moment the prisoner enters the chamber until death is pronounced or the attempt is stopped.
Let the courts finish their work
What happened. A federal appeals court paused the execution to review a claim, and the stay was lifted hours later[10]. Justice Sotomayor wrote, "I see no reason to short-circuit the ordinary process of appellate review"[10].
The standard. No execution proceeds while a court is actively reviewing a substantive claim in the case.
Honesty and care for victims' families
What happened. Colleen Slemmer's mother and stepfather drove 600 miles to Nashville[1]. Her mother has said, "It's never about the victims"[11].
The standard. Victims' families get timely, accurate information and support before, during and after any execution date, including when something goes wrong.

Who this is for

These standards are meant to be shared by people who disagree about capital punishment: supporters who want sentences carried out lawfully, opponents who want the process to stop harming people, and anyone who believes the government should act openly. In Tennessee, lawmakers from both parties have already called for changes, though they differ on what those changes should be[2].

Act on it

The governor's review is under way, and the legislature returns in January. That is the window for change.

Take action: add your name and contact officials

Our position

A pattern, not an accident

The eight standards

A truly independent review, released in full

A public protocol

Tested, documented drugs

A clear stop rule and emergency care

Qualified personnel and medical screening

Full witness access

Let the courts finish their work

Honesty and care for victims' families

Who this is for

Act on it

Sources for this page

Know when the next ruling lands.