Susan Sarandon character Sister Helen Prejean
Sean Penn character Matthew Poncelet
Robert Prosky character Hilton Barber
Raymond J. Barry character Earl Delacroix
R. Lee Ermey character Clyde Percy
Celia Weston character Mary Beth Percy
Lois Smith character Helen's Mother
Scott Wilson character Kaplan Farlely
Roberta Maxwell character Lucille Poncelet
Margo Martindale character Sister Colleen
Jack Black character Craig Poncelet
Ray Aranha character Luis Montoya
Peter Sarsgaard character Walter Delacroix
Barton Heyman character Captain Beliveau
Steve Boles character Sgt. Neal Trapp
Nesbitt Blaisdell character Warden Hartman
Larry Pine character Guy Gilardi
Kevin Cooney character Governor Benedict
Clancy Brown character State Trooper
Michael Cullen character Carl Vitello
Missy Yager character Hope Percy
Jenny Krochmal character Emily Percy
Jon Abrahams character Sonny Poncelet
Arthur Bridgers character Troy Poncelet
Steve Carlisle character Helen's Brother
Eva Amurri Martino character 9-Year-Old Helen
Jack Henry Robbins character Opossum Kid #1
Dennis Neal character Henry
Molly Bryant character Nellie
Adele Robbins character Nurse
Pete Burris character Parent #1
Joan Glover character Parent #2
Lenore Banks character Parent #4
Scott Sowers character Guard #2
Cortez Nance Jr. character Guard #3
Adam Nelson character Guard #4
Jeremy Knaster character Guard #7
Marcus Lyle Brown character Parole Board Member (uncredited)
Anthony Michael Frederick character Trustee (uncredited)
Thomas McGowan character ER Doctor (uncredited)
Codie Scott character Cop (uncredited)
Helen Prejean character Woman at Vigil (uncredited)
Miles Robbins character Boy in Church
