Poster #222 - The Psychological Effects that Wrongful Conviction and Social Media have on Exonerees

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

One of the functions of the judicial process is to incarcerate individuals to keep our society safe. However, it does not mean wrongful conviction doesn't happen. As social media continues to grow, misinformation spreads wider and faster than ever, resulting in many people in our country not receiving a fair trial. Life while incarcerated is already a traumatic experience. Still. when adding factors such as large-scale media attention and wrongfully accused, one can only wonder what effects that have on their psyche. The question being asked is: What role does the media play in the psyche of a wrongfully convicted individual?

Authors

• Kaykyn Orellana, Dalton State College

• Natalie Johnson, Dalton State College