This photographer recreated the last meals of death row prisoners and the results are haunting

The death penalty is legal in 31 US states, and an average of 47 inmates are executed every year.

All of the prisoners executed are customarily allowed to pick their last meal before being executed, and Henry Hargreaves has recreated every single one from this year.

The series, A Year of Killing, offers an insightful look into the last moments of prisoners who've probably served decades on death row. Here are some photos from his amazing series:

James Freeman, 35 years old, seven years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

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Pablo Vasquez, 38 years old, 17 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Oscar Ray Bollin Jr, 53 years old, 23 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Joshua Bishop, 41 years old, 20 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Daniel Lucas, 37 years olf, 16 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Ronald Bert Smith Jr, 45 years old, 22 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

John Conner, 60 years old, 34 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Earl Forrest, 66 years old, 11 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Travis Hittson, 45 years old, 22 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Christopher Brooks, 43 years old, 22 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Gustavo Garcia, 43 years old, 24 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Barney Ronald Fuller Jr, 53 years old, 12 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

Gregory Paul Lawler, 63 years old, 16 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

William Cary Sallie, 50 years old, 26 years on death row

Picture: Henry Hargreaves

And here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the photos were made:

Find more of Henry's awesome work at his website.

More: An executioner explains what it feels like to kill a man on death row