Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen Prejean

Sean Penn as Matthew Poncelet

Robert Prosky as Hilton Barber

Raymond J. Barry as Earl Delacroix

R. Lee Ermey as Clyde Percy

Celia Weston as Mary Beth Percy

Lois Smith as Helen's Mother

Scott Wilson as Chaplain Farley

Roberta Maxwell as Lucille Poncelet

Margo Martindale as Sister Colleen

Barton Heyman as Captain Beliveau

Steve Boles as Sgt. Neal Trapp

Nesbitt Blaisdell as Warden Hartman

Ray Aranha as Luis Montoya

Larry Pine as Guy Gilardi

Gil Robbins as Bishop Norwich

Kevin Cooney as Governor Benedict

Clancy Brown as State Trooper

Adele Robbins as Nurse

Michael Cullen as Carl Vitello

Peter Sarsgaard as Walter Delacroix

Missy Yager as Hope Percy

Jenny Krochmal as Emily Percy

Jack Black as Craig Poncelet

Jon Abrahams as Sonny Poncelet

Arthur Bridgers as Troy Poncelet

Steve Carlisle as Helen's Brother

Helen Hester as Helen's Sister

Eva Amurri as 9-Year-Old Helen

Jack Henry Robbins as Opossum Kid #1

Gary "Buddy" Boe as Opossum Kid #2

Amy Long as Opossum Kid #3

Dennis Neal as Henry

Molly Bryant as Nellie

Pamela Garmon as Mirabeau

Adrián Colón as Reporter

John D. Wilmot as Supporter

Margaret Lane as Reporter #1

Sally Ann Roberts as Reporter #2

Alec Gifford as Reporter #3

John Hurlbutt as Reporter #4

Mike Longman as News Anchor

Pete Burris as Parent #1

Joan Glover as Parent #2

Florrie Hathorn as Parent #3

Lenore Banks as Parent #4

Idella Cassamier as Idella

Marlon Horton as Herbie

Kenitra Singleton as Kenitra

Palmer Jackson as Palmer

Johnathan Thomas as Johnathan

Walter Breaux Jr. as Guard #1

Scott Sowers as Guard #2

Cortez Nance Jr. as Guard #3

Adam Nelson as Guard #4

Dalvin Ford as Guard #5

Derek Steeley as Guard #6

Jeremy Knaster as Guard #7

Mary Robbins as Aide to Governor Benedict

Miles Robbins as Boy in Church

Crystal Williams Brown as Churchgoer (uncredited)

Marcus Lyle Brown as Parole Board Member (uncredited)

Joanna Doherty as Nun (uncredited)

Anthony Michael Frederick as Trustee (uncredited)

Thomas McGowan as ER Doctor (uncredited)

Rawleigh Moreland as Senator (uncredited)

Helen Prejean as Woman at Vigil (uncredited)

Codie Scott as Cop (uncredited)