Victim Services Division

Information Regarding Scheduled Executions

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has adopted rule 152.51 concerning authorized witnesses to the execution of an inmate sentenced to death. The rule authority is the Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 43.20, and Attorney General's Letter Opinion No. 95-059 (September 26, 1995). Specifically, those persons authorized to witness the execution of an inmate sentenced to death include close relatives of the deceased victim(s).

The following information regarding scheduled executions is provided to assist the close relatives of the victims who choose to attend the execution of an inmate sentenced to death.

1. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division (TDCJ-VSD) will work with the victim’s surviving family to develop a list of persons requesting to witness the scheduled execution and submit it to the TDCJ-Correctional Institutions Division director for final approval. Witnesses should be aware that their participation shall not be confidential.
   
   
2. Victim Services will provide witnesses with information regarding the execution process and any updated information, related to the execution, as it is received.
   
   
3. Witnesses should understand that the condemned person may be granted a stay of execution on or before the scheduled date of execution.