The Montana Innocence Project observed the 11th Annual Wrongful Conviction Day on Wednesday with a day of events that educated about root causes of wrongful convictions and uplifted stories of clients and family members directly impacted by these injustices.
This year’s theme was The Pursuit of Truth. With this theme, MTIP wanted to highlight the concept of self-determination and the importance of ensuring that directly impacted people have the opportunity to live and speak their truth while incarcerated, in freedom, and exoneration.
Community members joined MTIP at the Missoula Public Library for a public education program at lunch. The first presentation was led by our Legal Director, Caiti Carpenter and focused on Post-Conviction Relief and three primary causes of wrongful conviction: Brady violations and prosecutorial misconduct; ineffective assistance of counsel; and junk/antiquated science. Caiti discussed the effects of these drivers on MTIP’s cases, engaged in community discussion on how law enforcement, legal professionals, and medical experts can avoid bad practices, and provided potential solutions for holding them accountable.
The second presentation was led by MTIP Social Services Advocate Ali Lacayo, who spoke on the common barriers people face upon re-entering society after incarceration, and the heightened challenges that wrongfully convicted individuals face. Ali provided an overview of the expanded scope of MTIP client services, and discussed how MTIP engages with the University of Montana School of Social Work and a network of community advocates and agencies to maximize resources and advocate for state and local support for re-entering community members.
In the evening, innocence advocates came together at Goodworks Place to hear the voices of those most impacted by wrongful convictions.
Clients Joseph Jefferson-Dust, Katie Garding, Bernard “Bernie” Pease Jr., Rena Oliphant (mother of client Aaron Oliphant), and former legal client Kelly Worthan shared their truths about the struggles of maintaining innocence after a wrongful conviction. The clients and family members engaged in a community discussion that bridged issues concerning the damaging effects of wrongful convictions, the lack of rehabilitation in our prison system, and the barriers returning community members face upon re-entering society.
Legal Director Caiti Carpenter spoke to the heightened challenges of maintaining innocence through the parole process, and the legal team’s experience preparing clients for their parole hearings.
Executive Director Amy Sings In The Timber closed the event with remarks about MTIP’s advocacy efforts, including advocating for exoneree compensation in the next legislative session that allows wrongfully convicted Montanans to receive the financial justice they deserve to rebuild their lives.
MTIP wants to extend immense gratitude to the clients and family members who courageously and vulnerably shared their stories!
Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended this year’s Wrongful Conviction Day! We hope that you continue to be curious about the causes of and potential solutions to injustice, and that you inspire others to do the same. To keep up with our growing organization, follow us on social media @BigSkyInnocence.