Interim DOC Director Joe Allbaugh said they’ve had two sessions practicing how an execution would happen with new procedures in place, all while DOC is still under the microscope in a grand jury investigation.

It has been more than a year now since the execution of Charles Warner, who was killed by potassium acetate instead of potassium chloride.

The same drug mix-up happened when Richard Glossip was set to be executed in October, leading to a last-minute stay by the governor.

“I have reviewed all the protocols and procedures that have been recommended, and the changes are significant,” Allbaugh said.

Allbaugh took over for Robert Patton in January.

In October, Patton had to testify before a grand jury.

Patton was in charge of curing the botched execution of Clayton Lockett, to Warner’s execution and the scheduled death of Glossip.

Since then, AG Scott Pruitt has suggested the state run its own compounding pharmacy for lethal injection drugs.

Allbaugh is skeptical.

“That’s a big deal to get a drug license, not only a state license but a federal license from DEA, and it’s not anything they pass out like candy,” Allbaugh said.

Allbaugh has no idea if Oklahoma will see an execution this year but said the Department of Corrections will be ready.

“Most importantly, the execution will be carried out in a proper, humane way without any incident at all,” Allbaugh said.

The AG’s office said the grand jury investigation could wrap up next month.

Allbaugh has other issues on his plate right now.

He plans to ask the legislature for $23 million more just to keep DOC running this year.