The Last Meal

The last meal for the condemned has long been a tradition in this country and in many countries across the globe. Most prisons refer to it as a “special meal”. Typically the condemned requests what he wants to eat and wardens try to comply within reason. An unreasonable request some years ago caused Texas to stop its practice. A former inmate cook has since volunteered to prepare the meals at his expense. Florida allows $40 to be spent on its last meals while Oklahoma permits only $15.

Artist Julie Green has painted 600 dinner plates depicting the last meals of executed prisoners. She hopes to humanize the executed and promote dialogue on the death penalty.

Pictured is art of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy’s last meal tribute. He was executed in Florida’s electric chair in 1989.

To see the artist’s whole collection, visit her website here.