The Greater Lafayette Chapter
of the
American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana

Community Forum

Book Read and Discussion

Dead Man Walking

By Sister Helen Prejean

Dead Man Walking (1993) by Sister Helen Prejean, Roman Catholic nun and leading advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, is this summer's book read. Through correspondence with two convicted murderers, for whom Sister Prejean served as spiritual advisor, she gained insight into the execution process and began to speak out against capital punishment. At the same time, she founded Survive, an organization devoted to provide counseling to the victims of violence. The book relates her experiences with the two men, their families, and the families of the victims. The Oscar nominated film, Dead Man Walking, (1995), based on the book, starred Susan Sarandon, who won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Helen, and Sean Penn.

On October 4, 2009, there will be a viewing of the Freedom Files TV episode The Death Penalty followed by a panel discussion. See more details.

The ACLU of Indiana and its Greater Lafayette Chapter are nonpartisan: we do not endorse political candidates or political parties.