People

Mary volunteers as chair of the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Issue Team for the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. She also works as Director of Religious Education at Saint Raphael Catholic Church in Rockville, MD.

Sister Helen Prejean has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on the death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions.  She travels around the world giving talks about her ministry.  She considers herself a southern storyteller. Sister Helen is a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph.  She…

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Deacon Tom Lang is Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. After serving 18 years in this ministry, Lang retired in August of 2019, but plans to continue his work with Jail and Prison Ministry.  

Marilyn Shankle-Grant is a death penalty abolitionist in the state of Texas and the mother of Paul Storey, an inmate on Texas’ death row.

Tracey, Executive Director of Thrive For Life Prison Ministry Community, has been with the organization since the beginning; offering spiritual exercises to incarcerated persons, planning retreats, and helping in organizational development with community partners. Tracey brings leadership and management from her Senior Leadership Experience in sales and marketing. She has a heart for the mission,…

Deacon Steve Kaneb is a longtime death penalty abolitionist based in South Hampton, NH and a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. He currently serves the parish community of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Hampton. Deacon Steve is also a member of the CRS Foundation Board, as well as Catholic University’s Board of…

Sr. Pat Thalhuber is a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who developed a program with the homeless called Circles Restored and co-authored a book with women incarcerated using circle process. Sr. Pat has been a teacher and youth minister throughout the U.S. especially with the Dakota, Lakota, Crow, Cheyenne, and Odwa nations. 

Christina A. Swarns is a nationally respected lawyer and criminal justice advocate, serving the Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) as its third Attorney-In-Charge. She worked for 14 years at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and served for the last three years as its Litigation Director. In the 2016-2017 Term of the United…

Chris Castillo’s 52-year-old mother, Pilar, was murdered in 1991. After becoming involved in prison ministry – specifically Bridges to Life almost 25 years ago – he learned to forgive the men who killed his mother. Chris shares his story with incarcerated persons through Bridges to Life, a 14 week faith-based restorative justice program. He has worked as…

Clinton Lee Young is a current inmate on Texas’ death row. His 2017 scheduled execution was stayed as a result of advocacy efforts by members of CMN’s Mercy in Action Project and many other people of goodwill.