California Governor Schwarzenegger Stops Construction of Lethal Injection Facility

04/20/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today after directing CDCR Secretary Jim Tilton to stop construction of a new lethal injection facility at San Quentin State Prison:

“I have directed the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to stop construction of this project. My staff has briefed the Legislature and will work cooperatively with them as we address the court’s concerns on lethal injection in California.”

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Andrea Lynn Hoch, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Legal Affairs Secretary issued the following statement on the status of a new lethal injection facility:

“In District Court Judge Fogel's December 16, 2006 decision, he identified five critical deficiencies in the way the state implements the lethal injection protocol. One of these deficiencies involved inadequate facilities at San Quentin State Prison that include poor lighting, design and overcrowded conditions.

“The State is committed to correcting all of these deficiencies and will submit a revised lethal injection protocol and implementation procedures to the court on May 15, 2007. In order to address Judge Fogel's concerns with the continued use of the San Quentin gas chamber for a lethal injection execution, the State's submission will include design plans for a dedicated lethal injection facility. This is one component of the protocol and procedures that will be submitted to the court on May 15, 2007. We are confident that the State’s revised lethal injection protocol and implementation procedures will satisfy the court and be upheld as constitutional.”

Source: California Governor