Inmates shouldn't be forgotten

Thanksgiving is a week away, and, of course, most people are looking forward to eating turkey and being with family. This is also the time of year when we are reminded to think of those less fortunate. The Salvation Army has its bell ringers out already.

Not everyone who falls into the less-fortunate category is treated equally, though.

Sr. Helen Prejean lectured to a full house on Monday at the Lied Center. She spoke about the prisoners she visits on death row. Some are innocent, others aren’t, but she visits them regardless.

What she said was chilling. The prisoners are locked up 23 hours a day and are treated without dignity, left with nothing to look forward to.

Prejean said in some instances, she is the only person who comes to visit them. Everyone else has shunned them.

It’s against human nature to feel pity for someone who killed another person. But no one deserves to live like that.

This year, be thankful for people like Prejean, who give the death row inmates something to look forward to, even if it isn’t turkey.