John: In 1988, Perry Lott was wrongfully convicted of rape and burglary. Perry would spend the next 30 years of his life behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit and endure 35 years of wrongful conviction. Click here to hear his story:

Perry Lott has always been passionate about art. It always meant one thing to him: freedom. After the first decade of wrongful conviction, Perry began turning to his art, his Bible, his poetry, and his memories — anything that could help him hold on to the hope that he would one day be free again. 

After three decades of wrongful incarceration, Perry was finally exonerated on Oct. 10, 2023, in Ada, Oklahoma. But even now that he’s free, Perry continues to deal with the trauma of wrongful conviction. His first time in a grocery store, he broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the choices in front of him. It was a stark contrast to the lack of freedom he felt in prison.  

“You don’t get choices in prison, you’re told what you’re going to get. You’re told what you’re going to do. And that was traumatic.” 

Today, Perry lives in Oklahoma, where he is deeply involved in his local church. He hopes to continue serving as a mentor and guide for youth, just as he did while he was in prison.  

John, Perry Lott is just one of our recent exonerees who is sharing what life was like before his wrongful conviction and what returning home means to him. To hear more from our recent exonerees, click here:

Thank you, 

Innocence Project