The state’s execution chamber at the prison complex south of Boise is under construction to accommodate shooting condemned prisoners to death by next summer. A new law that prioritizes a firing squad goes into effect starting July 2026. Lethal injection will remain the backup option.
But the Idaho Department of Correction aims to limit direct participation from correctional officers, agency spokesperson Blake Lopez told the Idaho Statesman.
“We have not yet procured a remote-operated system but are actively exploring available options,” he said by email. “A remote-operated system is preferred, as it would allow executions by firing squad to be carried out with minimal involvement from our staff.”
Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, who sponsored the bill that sets up the state’s transition to a firing squad, told the Idaho Statesman he has concerns that remote-operated firearms could falter the day of an execution. He advocated for the new execution method after Idaho prison officials were unable to execute a prisoner for the very first time, by lethal injection, in 2024.
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I’m opposed to the death penalty. There are various reasons why I believe the State should not be allowed to hold that power over people.
That said, if you are going to have the death penalty as part of your legal system, at least be honest about it. Don’t try to put lipstick on a pig by making it appear more civilized and ethical than it is.
Death penalty by firing squad is at least a very straight-forward and honest way of imposing the death penalty