Convent of nuns brings mercy, compassion to women on death row

What you probably already know: In a quiet, unassuming convent in Waco, Texas, a group of nuns has taken on a challenging, courageous and deeply compassionate mission: supporting women on death row. An article in The New Yorker delves into the lives and work of these extraordinary nuns; why they left their serene sanctuary and broke from tradition to visit the prison; and why they think it’s important to offer spiritual and emotional assistance to some of society’s most marginalized women. Many of the women never had a chance: Most are poor, have suffered trauma and abuse, and battled drug addiction.

Why? The nuns are seeking to highlight the broader issues of the criminal justice system, especially as it applies to women. There are only 46 women on death row across the United States, or only 2.2% of all death row inmates. Many have simply been forgotten. A 2023 report from The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty says women were on death row in at least 42 of 55 countries that currently allow the death penalty. The U.S. was fifth in the world for the number of people executed by the state in 2023, after China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Twenty-seven U.S. states allow the death penalty.

What it means: On a broader level, the nuns’ work challenges the conventional narrative surrounding crime and punishment, with a focus on mercy and compassion in a bleak and isolating environment. To be sure, the women on death row were convicted of truly horrific crimes. But the article also sheds light on the morality and efficacy of the death penalty. The nuns say they hope to restore a sense of dignity and self-worth to those society has forgotten, adding that they’ve learned as much from the inmates as the inmates have from them.

What happens now? The nuns have already faced numerous challenges, including societal skepticism and the personally emotional toll of working in a demanding environment. They say they hope to inspire others and build alliances with like-minded organizations and even policymakers for a more humane approach to criminal justice for everyone. The full article is well worth a read.