The Last Meal

The number of death sentences in the United States have dropped significantly over the past twenty years. However, as of 2021, the death penalty was still legal in 31 states and in most of these jurisdictions it was customary to give a condemned prisoner, on the eve of his or her execution, a special last meal of the condemned person's choice. ( Corrections officials use the term, "special meal.") In Florida, for example, the final meal can only cost up to $40 and must be prepared locally. In 2011, Texas abolished the last meal request for death row inmates. According to a 2013 study, inmates who professed their innocence were two-times more likely to decline the last meal request. Many death row inmates talk about what they will order years in advance of their executions.