A condemned prisoner’s last meal is a customary ritual preceding execution. In many countries, the prisoner may, within reason, select what the last meal will be. In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before execution and baked chicken fajitas the euphemism “special meal”. Alcohol or tobacco are usually, but not always, denied.

Unorthodox or unavailable requests are replaced with similar substitutes. In September 2011, the state of Texas abolished all special last meal requests after condemned prisoner and white supremacist Lawrence Russell Brewer requested a large and expensive last meal, but did not eat any of it, stating that he was not hungry. This represents the items reported requested but does not, in all cases, represent what the prisoner actually received. Casement converted to Catholicism before his execution and stated he intended to go “to my death with the body of my God as my last meal. Café au lait and a bread roll. An expensive cigar and a cup of Brazilian coffee. Wiener schnitzel, fried potatoes and a bottle of white wine.