In September, Senator John Whitmire of Texas ordered that the Huntsville state prison not extend a choice in food for death row inmates after one prisoner’s extensive meal went untouched. Two students share opposite opinions about whether or not to allow inmates to choose their last meal.

For the Last Meal 

senior Austin Raburn

There has been a long standing tradition not just in Texas, or the United states for that matter, but every country that practiced or still practices the barbaric acts of death row executions: That the prisoners be granted their final meal wishes by the state. Just recently, inmate Lawrence Brewer’s spiteful order of a meal went untouched. Senator John Whitmire (D) became so enraged that he decided to cut the “final meal” option for every inmate who passes through the doors of the state Huntsville prison.

The controversial decision to cut the “last meal” option is wrong on every level, and just goes to show the extent of bloodlust that specifically the Texan populist has reached.

Food is held at the centerpiece of every event, whether it be a wedding, a party, or even a funeral. Whether you agree with capital punishment or not, one must realize that the “last meal” wasn’t for the purpose of letting the inmate splurge one last time, or even being reminded of past experiences and loves, but to recognize the somber moment of an upcoming death, and the government taking yet another life. The Texan Criminal Justice Committee apparently doesn’t see that, but only the so called “justice” of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

Regardless of being in support of capital punishment or not quite frankly doesn’t matter. But to not recognize that the prisoner is in fact a human life, and the somber moment of their death, is an insult to the sanctity of life and further mires our justice system.

Against the Last Meal

junior Kelsey Smith

I disagree with allowing inmates to choose their final meal.

I have argued this point before, and my opponent told me, “They deserve one final act of kindness.”

I’m sorry. Are you being serious? Do you think they showed “one final act of kindness” to their victims? If they did, I don’t believe they’d be hanging out on death row right now. Just a thought.

Another valid point thrown at me by my old opponent was, “Denying them their final meal is making us sink just as low as them.”

The last meal doesn’t decide that. Didn’t we sink to their level when we enforced the death penalty? The meal is just food. Death is the ending of life.

All taxpayers also pay for the meal, and the inmates have the ability to order whatever they want, and however much they want. They can order the most expensive dishes possible, and not eat any of it.

Plus, a lot of criminals have been known to abuse this power. The most recent was Lawrence Brewer of Jasper, Texas. He ordered two chicken fried steaks with gravy, a double bacon cheeseburger, a cheese omelet, a full pint of ice cream, a half a pound of barbecue, a half a loaf of bread, some fried okra with ketchup, fajitas, a whole meat lover’s pizza, and three root beers.

He didn’t take a single bite or drink.

So, we are going to allow them to play their manipulation games all the way to the end. Fantastic.