Joan Andrews Bell: Prisoner of Conscience

Imagine, for a moment, exactly what it's like to serve a life sentence in prison. Saying that it would be "bad" is an understatement in the extreme. When we think of "life sentence," we generally imagine a tough guy, doing time for some horrendous crime.

Now imagine how a life sentence would feel to a mother of two children.  Imagine how this woman's husband and family would feel (this year on Valentine's Day, Joan's husband Chris laments: "My Valentine is in Jail!").  Further imagine that this woman is imprisoned unjustly for peacefully protesting against another incredible injustice, abortion.

You don't have to imagine the above scenario. It's happening even as you read this, to a wonderful woman and dedicated prolifer, Joan Andrews Bell.

On January 15th, 1998, Judge Raymond Novak of the Superior Court of Pittsburgh, PA, will give Joan an "open-ended" sentence for contempt of court. This means she will stay in prison until she recants her prolife ideals--a virtual life sentence. Sound impossible? Read on...

• The facts of the case
• Current Events in the Case
• Updates and urgent requests from Joan's husband
• What you can do to help
• A letter to Judge Raymond Novak
• Legal brief filed by Joan's attorneys
• Joan's affidavit
• A letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania
• A letter to Warden Calvin Lightfoot
• Another Joan Andrews Bell page
• Rosary Novena for Joan and her intentions - A Rosary Novena for the Intentions of Joan Andrews Bell is being said from Wednesday, 18 Feb until Easter Sunday.  Please join in this spiritual bouquet, to help and support Joan in jail, and to pray for an end to the holocaust of abortion.  It's never too late to join in - even on the last day because every prayer is a step towards the end of the death camps.