> Michael Sylvester wrote:
>
> Can someone enlighten me as to the origin and the purpose of giving
> someone to be executed one last alcoholic drink?
>
Interesting question. The anti-death penalty list I belong to had a mention
of this in a post earlier today. John Spenkelink, first inmate to be
executed in Florida after the DP was reinstated was offered a bottle of Jack
Daniels by the prison superintendent supervising the excution. "It was to
take the edge off," said Brierton [the superintendent], noting that
throughout history the condemned had been offered a drink - even Anne
Boleyn,
2nd wife of Henry VIII. Spenkelink took "two large swigs". He was
electrocuted shortly thereafter, so I'm not sure it had much effect. And I
don't believe it is common practice.
Those who believe in and carry out executions seem to want to go to great
lengths to ensure that the about-to-die inmate is treated "humanely", that
the process is carried out in such a way that it is as stress-free as
possible. They fail to recognize that the DP itself is inhumane and
inherently stress producing.
One might ask the same question about the last meal which, unlike a last
drink, is routinely offered.
Kris Lewis
Saint Michael's College
Colchester VT
