Indiana Pauses Executions, Considers New Methods

Indiana has halted executions after running out of pentobarbital, the only drug used for lethal injection in the state, following two executions in the past six months. Governor Mike Braun announced that he does not plan to purchase more of the drug due to its high cost and short shelf life. Currently, lethal injection is the only legal execution method in Indiana, but Braun and lawmakers are open to discussing alternatives such as firing squads or nitrogen hypoxia, in line with methods recently adopted by other states. A recent legislative effort to abolish the death penalty failed, but the issue is expected to be revisited when the General Assembly meets in 2026. Six men remain on Indiana’s death row, but no executions are scheduled as their appeals are ongoing. The state’s debate mirrors national conversations about the costs, ethics, and methods of capital punishment.