Wrongful Convictions
Current Research Projects
Collaborative Research: Exoneration and Compensation: The Role of False Confessions
FUNDING AGENCY: National Science Foundation; PIs: Allison Redlich and Kyle Scherr
In this two-phase project, we examine exonerees' experiences adjusting post-exoneration. In the first phase, we interviewed exonerees, innocence advocates who work with exonerees, and attorneys who have worked on exoneree compensation cases to better understand the process of applying for and receiving compensation, how compensation (or lack of) impacts exonerees' adjustments, and how false admissions of guilt (i.e., false confessions and false guilty pleas) impact the process and outcomes of compensation efforts. In the second phase, currently underway, we will conduct an experimental, in-field correspondence study to determine the factors that may disadvantage exonerees when seeking employment. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation and is a collaborative effort between the labs here at George Mason and at Central Michigan University.
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Past Research Projects
Redefining "Years Lost": The Impact of Wrongful Convictions on Lifespan
We know that wrongful convictions and the exoneration process take a substantial financial, emotional, and physical toll on exonerees. In this project, we examined whether there is also a mortality toll. Specifically, we compared the obtained lifespans of exonerees who have passed to CDC estimates for how long those same exonerees should have lived. We attempt to explain the observed mortality toll by examining factors that led to the wrongful conviction and compensation efforts. This project was led by Mary Catlin.
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Publications
Catlin, M., & Redlich, A. D. (2023). Redefining "Years lost": The impact of wrongful conviction on lifespan. Wrongful Conviction Law Review, 4, 1-15.
Evaluating Innocence: An Examination of Intake Decision-Making
Nearly one-forth of all known exonerations involved the assistance of an innocence organization. For many people who are incarcerated and wish to challenge their guilt, these organizations represent their best (or only) hope to do so. Yet, we know very little about the dynamics of such decisions. In this project, we examined whether racial cues or criminal hisotry affect evaluations of potential innocence of an incarcerated person applying for assistance from an innocence organization, and whether these factors impact recommendation for a case to be moved forward for further investigation. This project was led by Samantha Luna and Robert Norris.
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