The Last Meals of Death Row Prisoners

A unique new project has revealed the last meals requested by death row prisoners. Photographer Jackie Black put together a book that included the meals requested and a recreation of the meals.

Her intent was to shine a light on the judicial system.

Black's initiative features recreated images of the final meals as well as background information such as the prisoners' occupations and execution dates.

"What is it like to request a last meal before you are executed for a crime that you may or may not have committed?" Black said in a statement to BBC News on Monday.

"If we can place ourselves in front of that meal, perhaps we can feel the experience. Maybe we can question our own motives and complicity with the justice system. Perhaps we can empathize with the condemned person."

Based on Black's photos, here are the last requested meals of 10 prisoners on death row.

1. David Wayne Stoker

Last meal: Two cheeseburgers with fries and ice cream

Executed: June 16, 1997

Education: Eight years

Occupation: Heavy-equipment operator/carpenter

2. Anthony Ray Westley

Last meal: Fried chicken with fries and slices of bread

Executed: May 13, 1997

Education: Eight years

Occupation: Laborer

3. Thomas Andy Barefoot

Last meal: Soup with crackers, beans, corn, rice, beetroot, creamed spinach and a cola

Executed: October 30, 1984

Education: Not listed

Occupation: Oilfield roughneck

4. James Russell

Last meal: A red apple

Executed: September 19, 1991

Education: 10 years

Occupation: Musician

5. Jeffrey Allen Barney

Last meal: Kellogg's frosted flakes with milk

Executed: April 16, 1986

Education: Not listed

Occupation: Not listed

6. Johnny Frank Garrett

Last meal: Chocolate and strawberry ice cream

Executed: February 11, 1992

Education: Seven years

Occupation: Laborer

7. William Prince Davis

Last meal: Fried chicken drumsticks, bread rolls, grated cheese, beans, Wise Smoky Mountain BBQ crisps, and six Coca-Colas

Executed: September 14, 1999

Education: Seven years

Occupation: Roofer

8. Gerald Lee Mitchell

Last meal: A packet of Jolly Rancher hard candies

Executed: October 22, 2001

Education: 10 years

Occupation: Carpenter

9. Robert Anthony Madden

Last meal: Asked that his final meal be given to a homeless person. The request was denied.

Executed: May 28, 1997

Education: 12 years

Occupation: Cook

10. James Beathard

Last meal: Fried calamari rings, battered fish, fries, a salad, fried chicken, carrot sticks and a cola.

Executed: December 9, 1999

Education: 15 years

Occupation: Motorcycle mechanic

• Coronavirus Claims Another Death Row Inmate
• US Executes Murderer Wesley Purkey