Double Academy Award winner Hilary Swank recently visited the well-known Christian prison ministry, Prison Fellowship, to talk about her new movie “Conviction” and the role faith can play in fighting injustice.
“I've met 12 other exonerees since the movie has come out,” she told The Washington Post ahead of this discussion. “And all of them talk about having found faith in prison, that it was what got them through their ordeal and the circumstances.”
“I have seen how important faith can be in helping prisoners through difficult times. I wanted to share the movie with churches to remind them of the important role they play in reforming our justice system and helping prisoners and their families,” she said.
Swank executive produced and stars in “Conviction,” which is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters and the case of her brother, Kenneth Waters, who was convicted and sentenced to life in 1983 for murder. Betty Anne dedicated more that 18 years of her life in the fight to clear her brother’s name and prove his innocence. Since she did not have a high school diploma it took her that long to qualify as a lawyer.
“Conviction” exposes the flaws in the criminal justice system and the love between siblings.
Pat Nolan, vice president of Prison Fellowship, who hosted Thursday’s panel discussion with Swank commented, “The issue of wrongful convictions needs the urgent attention of our communities, churches, government and policy makers.”
“For every person who has been falsely convicted,” he added, “there is a guilty person who is walking the streets of our communities as a free citizen – that is a serious threat to all of us.
“We are delighted that Ms. Swank used her talents to interpret this poignant story that so brilliantly underscores the devastation that wrongful convictions cause.”
During the discussion itself, Swank said the movie was a reminder of “how quick we are to judge.”
(Image is of Hilary Swank at the premiere of Conviction).