USA - Montana. Montana State Prison modifies execution protocol to introduce Pentobarbital

Montana State Prison modifies execution protocol to introduce Pentobarbital. The Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge announced today that it has modified its protocol for conducting executions in order to use pentobarbital due to the inability to obtain sodium thiopental, which was the initial drug that Montana states had used in executions until the manufacturer ceased production recently. Other changes include additional safeguards to ensure that the drug is properly administered and, therefore, that the condemned is completely unconscious.  Mike Mahoney, who signed the document on his last day as the Montana State Prison warden on August 12, emphasized that the adjustments to the 149-page document are neither novel nor experimental, as they have proven effective when used in other states with extensive experience in carrying out executions.