Inside the Secret Machinery of Lethal Injection with Corinna Lain

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] 1977, lethal injection has been portrayed as the most humane way to execute someone—but what if that’s a myth? In this episode, legal scholar and death penalty expert Corinna Lain joins host Will Wright to expose what really happens inside America’s execution chambers. From botched executions and hidden medical procedures to falsified prescriptions and black market drugs, Lain’s new book, Secrets of the Killing State, reveals a justice system cloaked in secrecy. She recounts the chilling story of Clayton Lockett’s 2014 execution, explains why so many lethal injections go wrong, and explores the hidden psychological toll on prison staff. We also examine the racial disparities in capital punishment and ask: does the state truly deserve the power to kill?👤 Guest Bio:Corinna Barrett Lain is a law professor and legal historian who has spent over 15 years researching the death penalty. Her latest book, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, investigates how executions are carried out in the U.S.—and the secrecy surrounding them. Lain’s work has been cited in top legal journals, and she’s a frequent speaker on issues related to criminal justice, ethics, and constitutional law.🔗 Resources & Links:📘 Secrets of the Killing State by Corinna Lain: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781479832965🖥️ Corinna Lain’s website & tour dates: corinnalain.comRelated Episode: [Coming Soon – Beyond the Echo Chamber: “The Hidden Truths of Lethal Injection”] https://youtube.com/live/_dNOs1E2i4U?feature=share Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast