How To Support the Wrongfully Convicted

Imagine being forced to spend your life sitting in prison for a crime you did not do. It's hard to imagine and if you think about it for too long it's infuriating. It's important that people take this energy and translate it into support for those who do sit behind bars for crimes the did not commit. This post will provide instructions on how to support those who have been wrongfully convicted.

1. The Innocence Network is an expansive group of organizations and projects aimed at supporting wrongfully convicted people. One thing that you can do to support  those who have been wrongfully convicted is to connect with one of these organizations. Within these organizations (including The Innocence Project, The Exoneration Initiative, and the Reinvestigation Project) there are countless ways to help out, whether that be with monetary donations, volunteering research, or attending rallies. Find your local organization here. 
2. Educate yourself on wrongful convictions, the causes of wrongful convictions, and the ways in which reform can be accomplished. Take the information that you learn and share it with friends and family. Helping to spread this as a serious and worthy issue is hugely important in supporting the people who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit.
3. Build a relationship with the families of someone who was wrongfully convicted and exonerees. This is the most direct way to support people who have been wrongfully convicted as oftentimes it can feel like the world has forgotten about you when you're behind bars for a crime you did not commit.  Attending panels or rallies is a great way to meet family members of someone currently wrongfully convicted. Building a relationship with someone like this enables you to more directly help out an individual who needs your support. 

Overall, it is so important that we are allies to those who have been wrongfully convicted. We must show our support and let them know that we have not forgotten them.