Why do they sterilize the needles for a lethal injection?

Question

Why do they sterilize the needles for a lethal injection?

Answer 1

Some lawyer might be able to make the case that an unsterilized needle would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Who knows.

Answer 2

It would make no sense at all to have needles that are not sterile, when there are very few lethal injections given each year & there are millions of needles used that need to be sterile.  Why hold a handful back & not sterilize them?  Even if you didn't need to be concerned about any risks to others handling the needles, it wouldn't make economic sense to have a small number of non sterilized needles kept specially for lethal infections.

Answer 3

Because they can do no harm, if the shot fails they can walk out a free man.

Answer 4

Liberty Belle is quite right.

Tho only place I have seen needles that were not in sterile packs were in vet supplies for farms.

(and those were 3 inch long stainless steel spikes meant to be punched through a bulls hide to give it an injection.)

Answer 5

I don't know, probably just standard procedure.

Maybe the bacteria on the needle in the first place might interfere with the chemicals?

Idk. lol.

Answer 6

good point...what a waste of time and resources!

Answer 7

haha yeah good point, i have often wondered this.... i just supposed that it was because they were trying 2 be more humane about it (if thats possible)

Answer 8

they don't actually sterilize the needles - they come pre packaged and are automatically manufactured as being sterile (like most disposable medical equipment from bandaids to catheters) and they are only used once.  It would not make sense to make "lethal injection" needles on a different manufacturing line that is not sterile as the demand for them would not be high enough to justify the cost.  

They do not reuse needles after such a procedure as it would put the staff in danger when handling them.

Answer 9

Nicedoc and Liberty Belle have the best answers.

Needles have a way of jumping out of one's hands. My father was lucky to be stuck only twice in his 35 year medical career. He actually patented and sold a needle cap back in the 90s.

Answer 10

Why not?

Answer 11

because the us is in bad shape...you have to be politically correct about everything....the death penalty sucks

Answer 12

The sterilization also protects the person giving the injection.  Accidental needlesticks happen all the time.