Robert Lee Willie Yet, Debbie Cuevas, recounts in her book that Willie never felt remorse:'"Did he show any real remorse before he died?" I asked ... [Helen Prejean] shook her head sadly. "No. and you know, Debbie, I'm not sure he was capable of that."' (page 231) Feeling that victim's families were overlooked in the criminal justice system, the Harveys founded a group, Parents of Murdered Children, to help others. They have worked to ensure that families are given more information about court proceedings as well. They have continued to support the death penalty. Sister Prejean wrote a non-fiction book "Dead Man Walking"
Helen Prejean correspond with convicted murderer Elmo Patrick Sonnier, held on Death Row in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola. Sonnier had been sentenced to death by electrocution. She visited Sonnier in prison and agreed to be his spiritual adviser in the months leading up to his execution. The experience gave Prejean greater insight into the process involved in executions, for the convict, families, and others in the prison, and she began speaking out against capital punishment. At the same time, she founded "Survive", an organization devoted to counseling the families of victims of violence. Prejean has since ministered to other