In a time when nearly everything is politicized, it’s easy for people to assume that our work—freeing innocent people from prison—is somehow tied to political ideology. But at The Innocence Center, our mission is simple: we seek truth and justice, regardless of politics.
The wrongful conviction of an innocent person is not a conservative or liberal issue. It is a failure of the justice system that should concern everyone, no matter their beliefs. When the wrong person is convicted, not only does an innocent person suffer behind bars, but the real perpetrator remains free. This is not just a tragedy—it’s a public safety crisis.
Freeing the Innocent Should Unite, Not Divide Us
We work with people from all backgrounds—Republicans, Democrats, independents, law enforcement officers, and families of the wrongfully convicted. When someone is wrongfully imprisoned, their political affiliation, race, or economic status doesn’t change the facts: they are innocent and should not be in prison.
The pursuit of truth and fairness is a core principle of justice. That’s why bipartisan support for innocence work has been strong across the country. Both red and blue states have passed laws to prevent wrongful convictions, improve forensic science, and compensate exonerated people. Innocence is not a political issue—it is a human issue.
Finding the Truth: Exonerations Often Lead to the Real Perpetrators
One of the most overlooked aspects of innocence work is that it doesn’t just free the wrongfully convicted—it often identifies the actual criminals. In other words, we help solve crimes.
For example, in many of the cases we investigate, DNA testing—something the system originally failed to utilize properly—uncovers the true perpetrator. These discoveries lead to new arrests and, in some cases, bring long-overdue justice to victims and their families.
Take the case of Horace Roberts, who spent 20 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Through DNA testing, we identified the real killers—one of whom was the victim’s actual husband. This not only proved Horace’s innocence but also ensured that those responsible for the crime were finally held accountable.
If the system had done its job correctly from the beginning, Horace would never have gone to prison, and the real perpetrators would have been caught two decades earlier. How many other crimes did they commit in that time? How many victims could have been spared?
The Path Forward: A Justice System That Works for Everyone
We believe that a justice system that convicts the right people and frees the innocent should be a shared goal for all Americans. Our mission is not about ideology—it’s about justice, accountability, and public safety.
The Innocence Center exists to ensure that no innocent person spends their life in prison for a crime they did not commit. And when we uncover the truth, it benefits not just the exoneree but also the entire community by identifying the real perpetrators.
Innocence work is not political. It is not partisan. It is about making our justice system fair, accurate, and accountable. And that is something we should all stand behind.
