After a 15-year hiatus, Louisiana is poised to resume capital punishment. Governor Jeff Landry announced on Monday that the state's Department of Public Safety and Corrections has finalized and implemented a protocol for executions using nitrogen hypoxia. This method, already constitutionally approved and utilized in Alabama, involves replacing oxygen with nitrogen, leading to unconsciousness and ultimately death.

The execution process at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, will involve medical monitoring, an opportunity for a final statement, and the placement of a specialized nitrogen mask. A coroner will confirm the death, followed by an official statement from the warden.

This new protocol, which received bipartisan legislative support, addresses the long pause in executions. Governor Landry expressed his commitment to fulfilling promises made to victims of violent crimes and emphasized the extensive judicial review these cases have undergone. He anticipates swift action from district attorneys and courts to deliver justice.

While around 60 inmates are currently on death row in Louisiana, legal challenges and drug shortages have previously hindered executions. Electrocution, another sanctioned method championed by State Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, hasn't been used in 34 years due to legal hurdles. Notably, there’s currently no scheduled date for the first execution under the new protocol, as death penalty cases often face protracted litigation.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill echoed Governor Landry's sentiments, underscoring the gravity of the crimes committed by those on death row and emphasizing their commitment to securing justice for the victims. State Rep. Debbie Villio (R-Kenner) also voiced her support for the governor's efforts and the implementation of the law.