Reverend Jeff Hood Fights Against Death Penalty in New Documentary

The Spiritual Advisor follows the liberal firebrand as he accompanies men on death row in Oklahoma

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:58pm

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An extreme close-up of a tattered, faded prison uniform, the fabric's texture and worn appearance conveying the somber, gritty reality of life on death row.The worn fabric of a death row inmate's uniform reflects the heavy emotional toll of capital punishment.McAlester Today

Filmmakers Joel Fendelman and James Chase Sanchez have created a short documentary called The Spiritual Advisor that follows Reverend Jeff Hood, a liberal minister who has dedicated his life to accompanying men on death row. The film follows Hood as he travels to Oklahoma to try to stop the execution of a man named Emmanuel Littlejohn, whose guilt was in question. The documentary provides a powerful look at Hood's passionate work and the emotional toll it takes on him.

Why it matters

The death penalty remains a divisive and controversial issue in the United States, with support for it declining in recent years. The Spiritual Advisor sheds light on the work of activists like Reverend Hood who are fighting against capital punishment and the devastating impact it has on the condemned and their loved ones.

The details

The Spiritual Advisor was made in partnership with Rolling Stone Films and Documentary+. It follows Reverend Jeff Hood, a spiritual advisor who has been counseling men on death row since 2011, as he travels from Arkansas to Oklahoma to try to stop the execution of Emmanuel Littlejohn. Littlejohn had been recommended for clemency by the state's Pardon and Parole Board, but Governor Kevin Stitt had yet to stay his execution. The documentary shows Hood's efforts to appeal to local government, lead protests, and comfort Littlejohn's family in the final hours before his death.

  • In September 2024, Emmanuel Littlejohn was scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma.
  • Reverend Jeff Hood traveled to Oklahoma in the days leading up to Littlejohn's execution on September 26, 2024.

The players

Reverend Jeff Hood

A liberal minister who has dedicated his life to accompanying men on death row and fighting against capital punishment.

Emmanuel Littlejohn

A man sentenced to death in Oklahoma for the 1992 murder of a convenience store owner, though he claimed innocence and alleged his co-conspirator was the actual killer.

Governor Kevin Stitt

The governor of Oklahoma who had the power to stay Littlejohn's execution, despite the state's Pardon and Parole Board recommending clemency.

Joel Fendelman

The director of The Spiritual Advisor, a short documentary made in partnership with Rolling Stone Films and Documentary+.

James Chase Sanchez

The producer of The Spiritual Advisor, who previously worked with Reverend Hood on the documentary Man on Fire.

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What they’re saying

“He believes he's doing important work and he wants people to see that.”

— James Chase Sanchez, Producer

“What you're seeing is mostly different shades of gray, because the subject isn't as black and white as what the state wants you to believe.”

— James Chase Sanchez, Producer

“When we realized he wasn't pardoned, there was just this void. No documentary that I've made thus far has affected me more on an emotional — I may even say spiritual level.”

— Joel Fendelman, Director

What’s next

The filmmakers plan to continue following Reverend Hood's work and the ongoing fight against the death penalty in the United States.

The takeaway

The Spiritual Advisor provides a powerful and intimate look at the emotional toll of the death penalty, as seen through the eyes of a passionate activist who dedicates his life to supporting those condemned to die. The film highlights the complex moral and ethical questions surrounding capital punishment and the ripple effects of state-sanctioned executions.