POST-RELEASE PROGRAM

After enduring the unimaginable horror of years spent wrongly imprisoned, a full exoneration is truly a joyful occasion for MIP clients. Despite the proof of actual innocence, however, many exonerees find it incredibly difficult to reenter their communities. Many exonerees are released from their cells without fanfare, apologies or anywhere to go. During long years in prison, families and friends have disappeared. Most exonerees struggle immediately to find housing and work and many bear the weight of a conviction on their record for years before they are officially cleared. MIP's Post-Release Program is a need-based, client specific commission that supports each exoneree as they seek to rebuild their lives.

The immediate needs of exonerees are acute: housing, medical care, financial support for basic necessities, assistance identifying work skills, and simple legal work. In the long-term, many exonerees need extensive counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, among other mental health issues, as well as assistance reaching educational goals. We begin by assessing the needs of the individual exoneree, then work with social service providers, medical, dental and mental health providers, and employers in the exoneree's community to ensure that the services they provide are adapted to the specific needs of exonerees, which are often particular to the experience of wrongful conviction.

MIP's Post-Release Program depends entirely on donated services in order to meet the needs of its clients. Critical services include:

Medical care
Dental care
Counseling services
Financial planning
Employment assistance
Financial support for basic needs
Legal assistance

To assist MIP in this effort, contact the Post-Release Program at info@mississippiinnocence.org.
 

Client Representation
Legislation
Innocence Clinic