Press Room

An Act relative to compensation for victims of wrongful conviction brings wrongfully imprisoned people closer to justice by updating the long-outdated system they can use to seek compensation for their time in prison.

The new rates would be available to people who have proven their innocence in court. While these payments cannot fully make up for a wrongfully convicted person’s lost years, new compensation levels are more meaningful as they recognize the realities of today’s cost of living.

The details of the legislation are below.

Establishes Modern Compensation. Creates a fairer rate for the damage payments that wrongfully convicted people can receive from the state. Allows a court or jury to award a person $115,000 for every year that they were wrongfully imprisoned, plus $57,500 for every year they were wrongfully on parole, on probation, or otherwise erroneously required to be under similar supervision.

Strikes Outdated Cap. Removes a current cap that limits the damages awarded to a claimant. Under the current limit, for example, a person wrongfully imprisoned for 40 years would only be compensated for approximately 8.6 of those years. By removing the cap, they would be paid for every year they unjustly spent behind bars.

Retains Important Standards. Keeps in place all current requirements around imprisonment and the high threshold for overturning a conviction, only affecting claims and compensation for people who have proven in court that they were wrongfully convicted.

Provides Added Supports. Helps exonerated people adjust to life outside of prison by connecting them with support services. Supplements current supports by making clear that, if appropriate, the state should help them with things like health care, reentry services, and housing assistance.