Why do they allow criminals to have "choice last meals", what's the point of that?

Answer 1

The practice goes back to the ancient Romans and Greek civilisations.

The modern practice comes from Europe and was in part to placate superstitions that unless the condemned person was well fed they would not be happy and their ghost would return to haunt the judge, jury and executioner. Also there was the social aspect of the meal, the prisioner accepting a last special meal showed that they accepted their guilt and fate and helped pacify the crowds waiting to watch the execution.

These days the meal is often given a day or two in advance in US prisions and in Maryland there is no special last meal and Texas restricts it to food available in the prison.

Answer 2

I personally do not believe that death row inmates - the one's who get the last meal rights - should get the privelege of last meal rights. This just tells them that they will die before the next meal. They should not know when they are being taken. Get guards to sneak in and take their lives. They never extended the last meal right to their victims.

Answer 3

Perhaps the idea is that the inmate will be able to get lost in the enjoyment of the moment / meal and can focus his thoughts on reliving / remembering that while he waits for death to come. Don't think most of them are zen enough to really achieve that, though.

Answer 4

It's because most rational humans aren't cruel, even to the sickest of monsters. When justice has been done and the death warrant is issued, a last meal is humanity's way of saying "This is the last thing we give you that is good. Take from it what you want." When we're punishing someone by way of death, it helps separate us from the same monster we're killing. We give them the consideration they did not (in most cases) give their victims.

Answer 5

Criminal Records Search Database : http://InfoSearchDetective.com/Official

Answer 6

i suppose in some sense before their last breath a little dignity the last choice they will make the last taste and smells

Answer 7

I would think that for them to have their favorite meal,would decrease the terror in thier minds of what`s to come...

Answer 8

I guess it's just the modern equivalent of the condemned's last request.

Answer 9

Well I guess if you are about to have a lethal injection you might as well have something enjoyable at the end.

Answer 10

Good question. I think food would be the last thing on my mind.