The Innocence Project's work doesn’t end when a client is exonerated and released from prison — one of our social workers is often with them as they walk out, ready to help with things like finding a safe place to live, setting up a cell phone for the first time and filling out forms for a new ID. Exonerees leave prison without any compensation, which means that accessing basic necessities can be incredibly difficult. That’s why we established the Exoneree Fund, which covers these costs and more for our exonerated clients.
Today, we’re expanding the fund to support exonerees who are facing job loss or economic hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis.
John Nolley embraces family and friends after being released in 2016 with help from the Innocence Project. Photo: Ron Jenkins/Innocence Project.
Like many people in communities around the country, our exonerated clients are particularly vulnerable right now. Many have been — or will be — laid off from their jobs and don’t have steady access to affordable health care.
It’s up to all of us to make sure that innocent people who’ve already spent years in prison don’t face undue burdens now that they’re free.
The Innocence Project exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. www.innocenceproject.org
