Policy Panel: The Victimization and Collateral Damage Caused by Wrongful Conviction

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

In February 2016, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), hosted a listening session for original victims/survivors and exonerees of wrongful conviction. The listening session engaged with several survivors and exonerees to hear first-hand about their experiences leading up to, during, and following the exoneration process. The goal of the meeting was to inform Federal and external partners of the serious gaps in services, programs, and supports for individuals impacted by wrongful conviction. This meeting has led to a series of products to develop a comprehensive approach to tackling the broad range of issues stemming from wrongful convictions. This panel will discuss the overarching themes garnered from the individual listening sessions including the issues impacting original victims and exonerees and areas ripe for policy and programmatic development. Commentary will be provided from both an original victim and exoneree on these themes of need and the subsequent policy and practice recommendations.

Sub Unit

• Policy Panels

Individual Presentations

• NIJ Wrongful Conviction Listening Sessions - Eric David Martin, National Institute of Justice

• Wrongful Conviction and the DOJ Civil Rights Division - Paul Killebrew, DOJ Civil Rights Division

• Perspectives on the Process Costs After Exoneration - Steve Saloom, 8th Amendment Project

Chair

• Eric David Martin, National Institute of Justice

Discussants

• Jennifer Thompson, Healing Justice

• John Thompson, RAE House