Many in our country have found themselves arbitrarily, wrongfully and unjustly accused and prosecuted for a violation of some law. For many, their first encounter with the justice system is an eye-opening and frightening experience, where the dollar reigns and actual justice is often denied.
By working closely with the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, The Darryl Hunt Project for Freedom and Justice provides assistance to inmates claiming they were wrongfully convicted of crimes.
A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
Darryl Hunt visits prisons and other institutions to inspire those fighting for exoneration, and those soon to be released.
Thousands of people in our country have found themselves arbitrarily, wrongfully and unjustly prosecuted and imprisoned. For many, their first encounter with the justice system is an eye-opening and frightening experience, where the dollar reigns and actual justice is often denied. They now are seeking help establishing their innocence, often hampered by racism, inadequate finances, and ineffective legal representation.
The Innocence branch of the Darryl Hunt Project reviews, evaluates, and catalogues those letters making claims of actual innocence from prisoners or their family members. We work closely with the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, referring most cases to them for an initial evaluation, and then helping with local cases or those in which Darryl’s input might be particularly helpful.
Partly as a result of Darryl’s own case, North Carolina has created an Innocence Inquiry Commission—the first of its kind in the country. This commission has subpoena power, which should make it a very effective tool in exonerating the innocent.
In the last fifteen years, DNA testing technology has advanced enough to prove not only that our criminal justice system convicts innocent people, but that these are not isolated rare events. Of the two million Americans now incarcerated, it is estimated that twenty thousand are factually innocent. Of those, close to five thousand could be cleared by DNA, should the testing be done. Linking criminals to their crimes is important. Clearing people who have been wrongfully accused or convicted is vital.
A justice system that imprisons the innocent and leaves the guilty on the street to commit more crimes affects us all.