Sister Helen Prejean
Talking about life, death and a burning passion for justice.
The death penalty is one of the great moral issues facing our country, yet most people rarely think about it and very few of us take the time to delve deeply enough into this issue to be able to make an informed decision about it.
This website is my invitation to you to take that time, to learn, to explore and to reflect.
Our work relies on donations from the public. Would you consider making a donation today?
DEAD MAN WALKING: GRAPHIC EDITION
A dramatic retelling of Sr. Helen's eyewitness account
Stunningly illustrated by award-winning artist, Catherine Anyango Grünewald, with a script by Rose Vines that faithfully intertwines the original with the present.
On Sale Now
Order from your favorite bookseller
GDMW Newsletter
The inside story of creating art for social change
Graphic Dead Man Walking - GDMW for short - is our (mostly) weekly newsletter:
- It charts the course of the creation of Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition;
- explores how art can bring about social change;
- and dives inside our work to end the death penalty.
Pop your email in the Subscribe box to get the inside scoop.
EDUCATION
Learn about Sister Helen Prejean
Sister Helen Prejean is known around the world for her tireless work to end the death penalty. Sister Helen has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on capital punishment and in shaping the Catholic Church’s vigorous opposition to allexecutions. Learn more about her life and work.
Read Sister Helen's books
Sister Helen Prejean’s first book, Dead Man Walking sparked a national conversation about the death penalty. In The Death of Innocents she showed how deeply flawed the death penalty continues to be. And in River of Fire, Sister Helen takes you on the winding path that led her to be an activist. Get the books.
Organize an event with Sr. Helen
Would you like Sister Helen to speak at your event? She’s available for virtual classes and meetings, and extended ‘Zoom Modules’ built around the reading of one of her books, with extensive, guided participation from attendees. Get started with our speaking request form.
Pope Francis on the death penalty
Pope Francis is building on opposition to the death penalty. Sister Helen has played a part in these developments. Learn more about where the Church stands on the death penalty.
Writing to someone in prison
Writing to someone in prison is a special gift for both of you, but particularly for the one who is incarcerated. So many people in prison, especially those on death row, have little or no contact with people on the outside, so receiving a personal letter is something to treasure.
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Here are some pointers.
Watch ‘SISTER’
SISTER chronicles Sr. Helen Prejean’s life and work and examines the evolving role of nuns in the 21st Century. The full 90-minute director’s cut is available online and as a free download. Get your friends, workmates, congregation or classmates together and have a watch party.
