Innocence Behind Bars
Imagine spending years or decades in a confined prison for years beyond your control for a crime you did not commit. No amount of time or compensation can return what was lost, from birthdays, family connections, milestones, education, and both mental and physical well-beings. Yet, this is the reality for thousands of people affected by wrongful convictions which leads to wrongful incarcerations.
At the Our Voice Organization, we are committed to raising awareness about this devastating and ongoing issue, and empowering our communities to advocate for change.
What is Wrongful Incarceration?
Wrongful convictions can happen can happen to any human being, but they disproportionately affect Black and Brown individuals, people with limited financial resources, and neurodivergent individuals who may be more vulnerable during police interrogations or in court.
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A commonly wrong or skewed identification of what occurred based on the eyewitnesses trauma, bias, or flawed procedures.
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An incorrect admission to fault especially and commonly from younger or neurodivergent individuals who feel a sense of pressure.
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A police or law enforcement officer withholding evidence, coercing testimony, or misconduct in court.
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Public defenders who feel underfunded and overwhelmed.
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Commonly due to misapplied techniques or incorrect applications of science can lead to false findings.
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Inequalities lead to over-policing and over-prosecution especially within marginalized communities.
The Human Cost
Wrongfully incarcerated individuals face extreme emotional, psychological, and financial trauma. They lose time with their loved ones, job opportunities, and the ability to live a day-to-day normal life. Many of those individuals are released to the public with no support system, no financial help, and truly no formal apology.
Families of the wrongly convicted also suffer including parents, children, and the spouses who face stigma, economic hardships, and emotional disturbance that affects their lives.
Why This Matters to All of Us
Wrongful incarceration is a public crisis that we all need to be informed on. When innocent people are imprisoned, the actual perpetrators remain free, and the justice system loses credibility. We must change the systems that allowed this injustice to happen in the first place.
