Given, the cost of a meal may not seem to be really anything at all in the scope on the incarceration of an individual preparing for death, but some meals requested are absurd and again, not a deterrent for prospective murderers. If criminals understood their fate before committing crimes, like consuming life-sustainable food, but nothing enjoyable, crime rates would decrease. The last meal of their lives, which, in my opinion, shouldn't exist, consists of prison-approved foods, though the list must be very extensive. Although restrictions are placed in some states in regards to cost limitation and allowance of said meal, there have been historically outrageous fulfilled requests that do not serve as a deterrent in the slightest degree.
Ronnie Lee Gardner was convicted of burglary, robbery and two counts of murder. The murdered people obviously aren't capable of getting any requests fulfilled now that they are dead. In my book, Gardner should not have any requests fulfilled as well. However, he was allowed a meal of lobster tail, steak, apple pie and vanilla ice cream. All while watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!
One of the most outrageous requests that was fulfilled has to be the request of John Wayne Gacy. Gacy, dubbed the "Killer Clown", sexually assaulted and murderer at least 33 young men and teenage boys in the Chicagoland area in the 1970's. This psychopathic and ruthless murderer, who shoved raped, dead bodies in his crawlspace in his basement, was allowed a literal feast. A feast to the tune of 12 fried shrimp, a bucket of KFC original recipe, french fries and pound of strawberries.
These last meals and many more, found on this webpage, show the freedom of choice that I don't believe prisoners on death row should have. For the pain and suffering they have inflicted on the victims, their families, loved ones and friends, such privileges should not be permitted. Not only for the sake of equality, but also for the sake of deterrence.
What do you think about last meals? Should prisoners have this freedom of choice? Leave a comment with an opinion!
I think they should because even though they are going to die in a matter of hours, it's just food, so why not give the inmate something to enjoy before he is killed. Although I think it is okay to allow prisoners a "last meal", I think that all states should have restrictions on price because a lobster tail and steak is just absolutely ridiculous!
ReplyDelete