BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Correction has announced that the state will now utilize central venous access points located deep within the groin, neck, chest, or arm for lethal injections in cases where standard IV lines cannot be successfully established. This method has been part of Idaho’s official execution protocol for some time, yet it has never been implemented until now due to concerns over maintaining the inmate’s dignity during the procedure of inserting the line.

An incident in February involving Thomas Eugene Creech, a death row inmate, revealed significant challenges with the existing execution procedures. Creech’s execution was called off when the team was unable to obtain a peripheral IV line after multiple attempts—eight, in total—across different veins in his arms and legs. His defense team has raised concerns regarding a potential second attempt, arguing that it could constitute cruel and unusual punishment and violate double jeopardy protections. However, a state judge dismissed these claims in September.

In response to the failed execution, Idaho’s execution chamber is undergoing renovations to include a dedicated space where a physician can safely establish a central venous line. This development raises important questions about the visibility of the execution process. States like Texas and Oklahoma keep the insertion of IVs or central lines concealed from witnesses, performing these procedures in private rooms. However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has mandated that, in Idaho, this part of the process must be viewed by witnesses since it is deemed crucial to the execution.

With the new guidelines, media representatives and other designated witnesses will be able to observe the line insertion through a closed-circuit camera setup occurring in an adjacent room. Once the central venous line is in place, the condemned individual will be moved to the main execution chamber, where witnesses can observe the remainder of the execution through a viewing window.

Establishing standard peripheral IV lines is a relatively straightforward process typically requiring only a needle to penetrate a vein close to the skin’s surface, such as those found in the arm or hand. This type of procedure is routinely performed by emergency medical technicians, nurses, and various healthcare professionals. In contrast, central venous catheters often necessitate short surgical interventions to gain access to larger blood vessels like the jugular or femoral veins. This task is reserved for medical doctors due to the increased risks involved, including proximity to major arteries and organs that could be harmed during insertion.