Happy man walking out of justice center building
 

When wrongful incarceration ends, our work begins.

After Innocence has made free post-release assistance available to more than 800 people who were imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.

Help us reach every exoneree in the U.S.

 

3,300+ people
have been exonerated
since 1989

27,000+ years
lost to wrongful
imprisonment

Every 54 hours
another innocent person is exonerated

 

Their nightmare doesn’t stop at the prison gate.

The vast majority of America’s exonerees were released with little more than the clothes on their backs and left to fend for themselves.

Most did not receive consistent re-entry help or meaningful compensation for what they went through.

We’re working to change that.

 
Richard Phillips Detroit Michigan Wrongfully Imprisoned

“You don’t have anything coming. They’ll put you right on the streets - no assistance, no money, no support... nothing.”

Richard Phillips
Detroit, Michigan
Wrongfully Imprisoned: 46 years

Our Work

 

Since 2016, we’ve been on a mission to bring reliable assistance to every person in America who has been released from prison after wrongful incarceration - whether they’ve been out of prison for days or decades - and support them as they rebuild their lives.

We offer each client the highly skilled help they need to make good use of the health care, public benefits, social services and legal assistance available to them. So far, we’ve brought trauma-informed case management to more than 800 individuals.

Here are some examples of how we support our clients.

 

  • First Steps After Wrongful Imprisonment

    Every client gets start-to-finish help with getting many of the things they need most when just released: photo ID, a social security card, a cell phone, stimulus payments, and help building credit.

    Learn More

  • Getting and Using Healthcare

    Every client gets one-on-one "concierge" help from our expert health care advocates to ensure they see doctors or specialists, sort out coverage problems, and get the most out of the health care they’re eligible for.

    See How

  • Free Dental Services Project

    So far, we've coordinated more than $800,000 in free dental services for 187 clients across 22 states.

    Learn More

  • Local Job Training, Housing, and Adult Education Opportunities

    Every client gets a case manager who will identify local organizations offering job training, housing, adult education - and help them make the most of what those programs provide.

    Learn More

  • Pro Bono Legal Services

    Clients can call our attorney helpline with any legal or bureaucratic issue - we'll recruit a local lawyer with the right expertise to take the case pro bono; we stay involved to make sure the job gets done.

    See How

  • Financial Counseling Pilot Project (2022-2023)

    We are connecting clients to Certified Financial Planners who will provide free counseling; we will provide the follow-up help clients implement their plans.

    See How

  • Pandemic-Related Relief and Stimulus Payments

    We coordinated start-to-finish help with obtaining the stimulus payments and other pandemic-related aid that so many of our clients were entitled to, but did not receive.

    Click Here

  • Mental Health Treatment Pilot Project

    We coordinated diagnosis and trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment for every client in need of mental health care, regardless of ability to pay.

    Learn More

  • Tax Relief Act Project

    Under a tight deadline, we helped exonerees obtain more than $2.2 million in tax refunds and canceled debt that would otherwise have been forfeited.

    See How

Some Examples of Our Impact

813 clients reached nationwide since 2016

$800,000+ in donated dental care

96% of clients surveyed say they’re “highly likely” to recommend After Innocence to another exoneree

$2.2 million+ in tax refunds and cancelled debt

 
Elizabeth Ramirez San Antonio Texas Wrongfully Imprisoned

“After doing so much time, a lot of us feel lost and don't know where to go, or how to reach out. After Innocence helped me in every possible way, and made me feel comfortable. They will guide you to the right direction or help you find what you need to be able to move forward.”  

Elizabeth Ramirez
San Antonio, Texas
Wrongfully Imprisoned: 17 years

Doug Dilosa New Orleans Louisiana Wrongfully Imprisoned

“In all the years since my exoneration, no individual or organization has had a more positive effect on my life than After Innocence. I've spoken to other exonerees here in Louisiana and they feel the same.”

Doug Dilosa
New Orleans, Louisiana
Wrongfully Imprisoned 16 years

John Horton Rockford Illinois Wrongfully Imprisoned

"[Besides my attorney] the only other number that I had to call when I came home was After Innocence. .. they pick up every time, and they always make me feel welcome."

John Horton
Rockford, Illinois
Wrongfully Imprisoned 23 years

Shaurn Thomas Philadelphia Pennsylvania Wrongfully Imprisoned

"Somebody that you can count on, somebody that's there for you, no matter when you’re calling, to help you figure stuff out. That's After Innocence."

Shaurn Thomas
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wrongfully Imprisoned 24 years

 

Join us in pursuing post-release justice for the wrongfully convicted. 

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“After Innocence has been a Godsend - they definitely get the job done when it comes to helping people across this nation who were wrongfully convicted.”

Alan Newton
New York, New York
Wrongfully Imprisoned: 22 years

 
 
Alan Newton New York New York Wrongfully Imprisoned