Many states have backup execution plans, but failures still happen

Many states have backup execution plans to handle failures during lethal injections, but mishaps still occur. Before Christa Pike was taken to Tennessee's execution chamber, prison officials reviewed a backup plan for such scenarios. However, the backup plan failed, and Pike remained alive and in critical condition at a hospital 24 hours later.

The exact reason for the failure remains unclear. Twenty-seven states practice capital punishment, each with varying methods and secrecy levels. Tennessee has two backup strategies: placing two IV lines and a potential central line insertion. Pike received a second dose of pentobarbital, but it is unknown if the primary or backup IV site was used.

Alabama allows a backup dose of midazolam, but not for subsequent drugs. Idaho has contingency plans for nearly every execution step, including a second death chamber volley if needed. Despite these plans, execution mishaps still happen, including Tennessee's cancellation of an execution in 2023 due to failed vein placement, and Arizona's prolonged 2014 execution of Joseph Rudolph Wood.