Prisoners on Texas’s death row will no longer be able to specially order their last meal. The executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has released a statement that effective immediately, an inmate’s last meal will be the same as the meal served to every other prisoner in the unit.
The policy change is in response to concerns expressed by Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chair John Whitmire. In a letter to the director of TDCJ, Senator Whitmire stated that he had long been concerned by the practice of giving death row inmates whatever they want to order - particularly, as some inmate-requested meals in the past have been excessive to the point of ridiculousness. A specific example given is the last meal of Lawrence Brewer, the man convicted of the Jasper, Texas, death-by-dragging of James Byrd, Jr. Brewer reportedly requested (and then failed to eat) the following menu on the taxpayer dime:
- 2 chicken fried steaks
- A triple meat bacon cheeseburger
- A cheese omelet
- Large bowl of fried okra
- Three fajitas
- A pint of Blue Bell ice cream
- A pound of barbecue, and
- Half a loaf of white bread
Supporters of the policy change believe it’s a win for rationality (why should a murder be treated to a personal feast?) and for the TDCJ’s budget. Detractors find it harsh if not cruel to deny a condemned person’s last request.
Original article featuring a slide show of famous last meals can be found here: http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2011/09/senate-criminal-justice-chair-enough-is-enough-on-last-meals-for-death-row-inmates/#1133-1
For information about Texas law contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewightlawyers.com.
Recent Comments