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VICE Presents 'Innocence Ignored,' A New Documentary Series On Life After Wrongful Convictions

Profiles of those who have lost years of their lives thanks to the flaws inherent in America's criminal justice system.

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(Screenshot via YouTube)

Over the course of the past three decades, more than 2,000 people have been exonerated for wrongful convictions. Have you ever wondered what happens to people who have served lengthy sentences for crimes they didn’t commit when they are finally released from prison? Thanks to VICE’s new documentary series, “Innocence Ignored,” you no longer have to. The show, which premiered yesterday, profiles just some of the people who have lost years of their lives thanks to the flaws inherent in America’s criminal justice system.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the first episode, which you can watch below:

The Alford plea offers freedom at a costly price. While it allows one the right to maintain innocence, a criminal conviction remains visible on their record and therefore, they are not eligible for compensation from the government. Leroy Harris took an Alford plea after serving 29 years in prison for a crime he has always maintained he didn’t commit.

Barry Scheck, co-founder and co-director of the Innocence Project (who you may remember as a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team) is featured in the first episode of “Innocence Ignored.” Scheck maintains that “the right to a trial by jury, which is so fundamental to our democracy, is disappearing.”

“Decisions are made to protect reputations rather than to do justice. That happens more often than any of us want to believe.”

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Later this week, VICE, in partnership with the Innocence Project, will host actor/activist Michael K. Williams to discuss the issues surrounding those who have been wrongfully convicted. Joining him are panelists Kristine Bunch (wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 17 years) and Leroy Harris (wrongfuly convicted and imprisoned for 29 years), both of whom are profiled in “Innocence Ignored,” as well as Vanessa Potkin, the Innocence Project’s director of post-conviction litigation, who has helped to free more than 30 people from prison in the wake of their wrongful convictions. Stay tuned, because Above the Law will be there to cover the event.

If you’re interested in watching a poignant, heart-wrenching documentary series about the problems present within our justice system, then look no further than “Innocence Ignored.” Future episodes will explore other obstacles the wrongfully convicted face, including forensic science (or the lack thereof at the time of their trials), compensation, and reintegration. “Innocence Ignored” is well worth the watch.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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