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The Innocence Project is a legal organization that uses DNA evidence to free wrongfully convicted prisoners and works to reform the US judicial system. Founded by civil rights lawyers, it focuses on cases with death sentences and provides assistance to low-income detainees. It has numerous chapters throughout the US and is supported by pro bono work and donations.
The Innocence Project is an American legal organization that works to free wrongfully convicted prisoners, usually through the use of DNA evidence. In the 15 years between its inception in 1992 and 2007, the Innocence Project freed 205 people and built up a large backlog of prisoners awaiting assistance, along with a huge surge of support from the legal community. The organization also works to reform America’s judicial system, to reduce the number of wrongful convictions, and to promote equality in the hope that all Americans will one day be truly equal in the eyes of the law.
Civil rights lawyers Barr Scheck and Peter Neufeld founded the Innocence Project after reading a US Department of Justice study that suggested the system’s failure rate may be higher than previously imagined. The lawyers were concerned that this failure rate was likely to impact black people and low-income prisoners more than anyone else, and they believed this inequality needed to be addressed. They hoped that their efforts could lead to greater equality in the U.S. penal system and that they might be able to save the lives of wrongfully convicted prisoners.
To be assisted by the Innocence Project, a candidate must be able to demonstrate that he could be released through DNA evidence. A large team of lawyers evaluates all requests for assistance received by the Innocence Project, focusing in particular on cases with death sentences. The project also provides other assistance to detainees and focuses on exempting, not assisting people accused of crimes. Most of the Innocence Project’s clients are low-income and have often been overlooked by the justice system.
The first Innocence Project clinic was established at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City, but numerous other chapters have been established throughout the United States. The Innocence Project is particularly active in the Southern United States, with chapters such as the Georgia Innocence Project currently supported by the State Bar.
The work of the Innocence Project is supported through a large amount of pro bono work by attorneys and other volunteers, along with donations. It is a non-profit organization and actively solicits donations from individuals and groups. These donations go to assist the appeals process and can also be used for the Life After Innocence fund. This fund helps recently released prisoners readjust to life as freed men and women.
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