Maritza Falchetti
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Studies estimate that of the almost 1.2 million people incarcerated in the United States, about 4 to 6 percent are innocent.
With the expansion of our court systems over the years and rules being put in place to ensure justice, there are still people all over the country who must suffer for the consequences of others. Thankfully, there are programs put in place to help relieve those who were wrongfully convicted, as well as councils and systems used to help support and represent those claiming their innocence. These programs are also very useful for those who have not been wrongfully convicted but want to lower their chances of becoming a recidivist.
The Prisons and Justice Initiative at Georgetown University’s goal is to “create pathways for incarcerated people and returning citizens to reshape their futures.” PJI Research Associate and Adjunct Lecturer Dr. Amanda Lewis teaches students in Georgetown’s prison education programs and is heavily involved in wrongful conviction work.
“Two of the most important predictors of positive outcomes and reduced recidivism following release from incarceration are positive social support and educational attainment,” said Lewis.
When asked about the benefits of rehabilitation programs for inmates, Lewis emphasized that they provide positive social support and educational attainment while offering a community. “I think that enrolling in our programs also provides students with a level of confidence, belonging, and community that they might not have felt otherwise,” said Lewis.
In 2000, Adnan Syed of Baltimore was convicted of murdering Hae Min Lee, his then-girlfriend. In 2014, this became a famous case nationally, after the podcast Serial released 13 episodes. Syed was released last year and has been asking the Maryland Attorney General’s Office to investigate his claims of prosecutorial misconduct.
“I am a true crime junkie, so I have been keeping up with the podcast and case over the last few years. I can say that the possibility of clearing his name may not even be an option if it wasn’t for the Serial podcast and its popularity, the voice calls really had the listeners thinking,” said Jeremy McCray, a follower of the podcast.
Gender, race, and socioeconomic status are key factors in wrongful convictions and will continue to be for many years. It is imperative that programs such as PJI continue to work on rehabilitating inmates and that media outlets such as podcasts continue to help promote justice and help keep the rate of recidivism low.