Last meal

"Last meals" redirects here. For a list of last meals, see List of last meals.

A condemned prisoner's last meal is a customary ritual preceding execution. In many countries, the prisoner may, within reason, select what the last meal will be.

Contemporary restrictions in the United States

Contrary to the common belief that all last meal requests, regardless of their complexity, must be fulfilled, various restrictions are in place over what can be requested.^[1][2]

In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before the actual execution and now use the euphemism "special meal". Alcohol and tobacco are usually, but not always, denied. Unorthodox or unavailable requests can be replaced with similar substitutes. Some states place tight restrictions. Sometimes, a prisoner asks to share the last meal with another inmate (as Francis Crowley did with John Resko in 1932) or has the meal distributed among other inmates (as requested by Raymond Fernandez in 1951).^[3]

In Florida, the food for the last meal must be purchased locally and the cost is limited to $40.^[4] In Oklahoma, the cost is limited to $25. In Louisiana, the prison warden traditionally joins the condemned prisoner for the last meal. On one occasion, the warden paid for an inmate's lobster dinner.^[5]

In September 2011, Texas abolished its long-standing tradition of customized last meals after Lawrence Brewer requested a large, expensive meal and refused to eat any of it.^[5][6] Consequently, condemned prisoners in Texas are now restricted to the standard meal provided in the Huntsville Unit cafeteria on the day of their execution.^[7]

Documented last meal requests

Further information: List of last meals

See also

• Food portal
• Law portal

• Capital punishment
• Death row
• Final statement
• Last Supper
• Religion and capital punishment