What do prisoners eat before they are executed? 'Last Meals for death Row inmates' in 5 countries

Recently, the well-known YouTuber LuLu filmed a video titled 'The Last Meals of Death Row Inmates Around the World,' exploring what condemned prisoners eat for their last meal. The video lists meals from Taiwan, China, the United States, Russia, and Japan. Just how big are the cultural differences between these countries, and what are the underlying meanings behind the last meals of these condemned prisoners? Let's find out!

Taiwan: A plate of braised snacks, alcohol, and cigarettes

The most special part is that there are two braised eggs in the braised snacks. The braised eggs symbolize 'completion' for the condemned prisoners after eating, allowing them to set off peacefully and have a smooth journey in their reincarnation. In addition, some prisons prepare boxed meals, Huang Changshou cigarettes, and sorghum liquor, or replace the braised eggs with fried eggs. As for the purpose of drinking alcohol, it is because there were no anesthetics in the early days, so alcohol was used to achieve an alternative anesthetic effect to reduce pain.

China: Raw meat and meals

The tradition of eating raw meat comes from ancient China. They believed that after death, the condemned could take this piece of meat, and when they encountered a mad dog on the road, they could stuff this piece of raw meat into the dog's mouth, quickly pass the Naihe Bridge, drink Mengpo Soup and leave, and be reborn to be a good person. Therefore, that piece of raw meat is not for the condemned to eat, this is just a symbolic meaning, and there are other meals available for consumption.

United States: $40 to order whatever you want

Within the amount of $40, the condemned can choose their own 'last meal.' Among them, a criminal named Robert Anthony Buell once ordered a single seeded black olive, which he did not eat. After his death, the black olive was found in his pocket. It is speculated that the taste of black olives is somewhat similar to blood, suggesting a symbolic meaning. Another criminal, Gary Carl Simmons Jr., ordered a whole box of pizza, potato chips, cola, etc., consuming a total of 28,974 calories. However, he was executed halfway through his meal.

Russia: Bread with Boiled Water

According to Russian customs and public sentiment, for those who have committed heinous crimes and are sentenced to death, they feel there is no need to waste too much money to satisfy the last meal of the condemned. Therefore, compared to other countries, the last meal of death row inmates in Russia is relatively simple.

Japan: Interrogation Pork Cutlet Rice, Death Penalty Fish Soup

The practice of interrogating prisoners with pork cutlet rice in Japan originates from Japanese dramas. In these dramas, there are often scenes where the police invite the criminals to eat pork cutlet rice. The taste of this meal can entice the criminals to tell the truth, and once the criminals are imprisoned, they may never be able to eat pork cutlet rice again. As the number of people executed in Japan is actually very small, generally only those who have committed unforgivable heinous crimes will be executed. Therefore, the last meal is very simple, and the most common is fish soup, not any high-end food.

These practices serve as a profound window into the diverse cultural attitudes towards death and punishment, each reflecting the unique societal norms and values of their respective countries. More than just a meal, these rituals humanize the condemned in their final moments, imbuing them with a sense of dignity and individuality even as they face their ultimate fate. They serve as a stark reminder of the profound gravity of the sentence they face, prompting us to reflect on the human dimension of capital punishment.