Many states have backup execution plans, but failures still happen

Twenty-seven U.S. states maintain capital punishment while utilizing varying execution procedures and backup plans, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center. Despite the existence of these contingency measures, execution failures continue to occur across jurisdictions.

The administration of the death penalty differs significantly from state to state, particularly regarding the degree of transparency surrounding the lethal process. States frequently keep substantial portions of their execution protocols hidden from public view.