Punishment, Human Dignity & the Demands of Justice

IRLLW Witness Series Image Man clenching bars in prison
How do systems of punishment reflect—or fail—our commitments to dignity and justice?

Through personal testimony and legal analysis, this theme explores how systems of punishment—from capital cases to everyday incarceration—test our commitments to human dignity, proportionality, and the rule of law. Speakers invite students to reflect on how lived experience, constitutional doctrine, and ethical responsibility intersect in shaping more humane, accountable, and justice-oriented approaches to sentencing, public safety, and the administration of criminal justice.

  • Recent Events

    Fall 2025 - Sister Helen Prejean

    Future events 

    *TBD

     

  • Volunteer and internship opportunities with organizations working on capital defense, sentencing reform, and prison conditions (e.g., local defender offices, reentry organizations).