§ 15-18-82 — When, Where, and by Whom Executions Conducted

(a) Where the sentence of death is pronounced against a convict, the sentence shall be executed at any hour on the day set for the execution, not less than 30 nor more than 100 days from the date of sentence, as the court may adjudge, by lethal injection unless the convict elects execution by electrocution or nitrogen hypoxia as provided by law. If electrocution or nitrogen hypoxia are held unconstitutional, the method of execution shall be lethal injection. If lethal injection is held unconstitutional or otherwise becomes unavailable, the method of execution shall be by nitrogen hypoxia.
(b) Executions shall take place at the William C. Holman unit of the prison system at Atmore in a room or area arranged for that purpose. It shall be the duty of the Department of Corrections of this state to provide the necessary facilities, instruments, and accommodations to carry out the execution.
(c) The warden of the William C. Holman unit of the prison system at Atmore or, in case of his or her death, disability, or absence, his or her deputy, shall be the executioner. In the case of execution by lethal injection, the warden, or in the case of his or her death, disability, or absence, his or her deputy, may designate an employee of the unit to administer the lethal injection. In the event of the death or disability or absence of both the warden and deputy, the executioner shall be that person appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

Legislative History

(Acts 1923, No. 587, p. 759; Code 1923, §§5309, 5310, 5314; Code 1940, T. 15, §§343, 344, 348; Acts 1953, No. 759, p. 1021; Acts 1971, No. 2360, p. 3792; Act 2002-492, p. 1243, §2; Act 2018-353, §1.)