Last meal
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Although the history of the tradition of giving a prisoner condemned to capital punishment a last meal is difficult to assess, most modern governments that execute prisoners subscribe to it.
The last meal is part of a condemned prisoner's last hours; a few hours before the appointed time of execution, the prisoner will be given the meal, as well as religious rites, if he/she desires.
In many countries the prisoner may have the luxury of selecting what the last meal will be (within reason), and the authorities do their best to provide a prisoner with the requested meal.
The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans all had a tradition of giving the condemned man a final meal. The Aztecs fed their human sacrifices for up to a year before their death. (See quote by Lars Bergstrm of Sweden at [1])
A collection of facts gathered from websites--(edit to help readability):
- Examples of rules governing meals (in USA)
- In the State of Georgia, cost of meal must be under $20 (in 2004).
- Most states give the meal a day or two prior to execution, calling it the "special meal".
- Most states do not allow alcohol and tobaco. In Texas all food must come from within the prison system.
- Food chosen (in USA prisons)
- Details surrounding execution have often provoked much public interest. Because of this, The Texas Department of Criminal Justice used to provide on-line details of prisoners' last meals. It was noted that cheeseburgers are the most requested item, followed by fried chicken and breakfast items such as eggs and sausage. However, smoking is not allowed. See [2]
- According to online newspaper jewishworldreview, "Ted Bundy had a medium-rare steak, eggs over easy, hash browns; Gary Gilmore had hamburgers, eggs and potatoes; John Wayne Gacy had fried chicken, french fries and fresh strawberries".
The idea of granting any last wishes to people who commit such acts as multiple murder has caused controversy. Also, more unusualy, an Animal Rights Group objected to meat being served to the Oaklahoma Bomber. See [3].
External links
- Time, "Why We're Fascinated by Death Row Cuisine".
- A weblog of USA prisoners executed, and their last meals. Claims to be "compiled from various news accounts".
- [http://www.insightmag.com/news/2001/05/28/Nation/Last-Meals.Dining.In.With.Capital.Punishment-210978.shtml
Article:last meals dining in with capital punishment]