2022 Stories

‘Freedom, family, getting some of that dignity back:’ Joseph Jefferson Dust reflects on celebrating holidays post-release
Montana Innocence Project premiers podcast “Unpacking Injustice”
Montana Innocence Project Advocacy Guide
Current client, Bernard Pease (Photo by Sarah Mosquera)
Montana Innocence Project client Bernard Pease accepted to Billings pre-release
Current client, Bernard Pease (Photo by Sarah Mosquera)
Montana Innocence Project client Bernard Pease granted pre-release after nearly 40 years of incarceration
Iola Johnston explains intersection of colonization, victimization, and criminality
Katie’s family attended the event. From left to right: Boyfriend, Victor; Katie; Dad, Rob; Sister, Chyrel; Mom, Lori; Sister, Kena; and son, Carson.
Remembering Rob Garding
MTIP cold-weather merch available now!
MTIP client Kelly Worthan to pursue college degree from prison
MTIP client Joseph Jefferson-Dust found connection with culture in Navy career
Joe and Lydina share their favorite Halloween memory
Joseph Jefferson-Dust: Montana must end wrongful convictions and the disparate treatment of Indigenous people like me
‘If we don’t speak up for ourselves, then who will:’ Formerly incarcerated activist Clemente Arciga finds his voice at the legislature
Edwina Beaumont talks about her grandson Joseph Jefferson-Dust’s at the Indigenous Justice Rally (Photo by Sarah Mosquera)
Montana Innocence Project observes Wrongful Conviction Day with client Joseph Jefferson-Dust
Handcrafted dreamcatcher made by MTIP current client, Bernard Pease (Photo by Sarah Mosquera)
Montana State Prison Hobby Store features art by incarcerated people
MTIP’s merch store is open!
Joseph Jefferson-Dust on his mom’s motorcycle after she picked him up from the Yellowstone County Jail following his exoneration (Photo courtesy of Lydina Big Man)
Montana Innocence Project frees Joseph Jefferson-Dust
Missoula County Courthouse
Missoula County Courthouse
Criminal Justice Oversight Council seeks to raise mandatory minimums, expand three-strikes
Katie Garding shares her story of being wrongfully convicted to a live audience.
Katie Garding receives standing ovation at Tell Us Something’s live storytelling event
Montana legislature considering use of facial recognition for serious crime investigations, a known cause of wrongful arrests
MTIP hosts panel discussing SCOTUS implications for racial, criminal justice work
Aaron Oliphant wildland firefighting (Photo courtesy of Rena Oliphant)
‘To be treated like a normal person:’ MTIP client Aaron Oliphant on working for Montana State Prison’s wildland firefighting crew
Overturning Roe will lead to unjust prosecutions, more restrictions on prison abortions
Remediating the New Jim Crow: 3 paths to decarceration, how you can help
On Juneteenth, innocence advocate Robyn Trent Jefferson discusses mass incarceration, wrongful conviction
Montana Innocence Project files amicus brief in OPD case, underscores importance of effective assistance of counsel for all defendants
Cody Marble in front of the Missoula County Courthouse
Cody Marble in front of the Missoula County Courthouse (Photo from The Missoulian)
Cody Marble wins motion to receive rental vouchers while compensation claim is pending
Organization Highlight: Center for Restorative Youth Justice
‘Meant to be:’ MTIP freed client Dave Wilkes meets long-lost brother after release
Cody Marble in front of the Missoula County Courthouse
Cody Marble in front of the Missoula County Courthouse (Photo from The Missoulian)
MTIP freed client Cody Marble discusses frustrating experience filing for compensation under new law
MTIP Legal Director, Caiti Carpenter, on how motherhood enhanced her advocacy
3 must-read poetry books about racial, criminal justice
Cannabis convictions: Petitioning now-unjust convictions, a step toward alleviating disparate impacts
Katie Garding updates about life on parole, reflects on experience with wrongful conviction
Organization Highlight: The Black News Channel
More than half of all exonerees are Black. Here’s why.
Celebrating Black leaders in the innocence movement
Dave Wilkes sits outside surrounded by trees in the Rattlesnake area of Missoula
Dave Wilkes enjoying the outdoors at the Rattlesnake area of Missoula a few days after his release from wrongful incarceration (Photo courtesy of Dave Wilkes)
Dave Wilkes reflects on two years of freedom

3 MLK quotes that inspire criminal justice advocacy