TRUTH MATTERS.
We are the only independent, nonpartisan voice in Washington State advancing key reforms to prevent wrongful convictions and improve our justice system.
We free Innocent people from prison.
HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO COMMUNITY.
Black people are significantly more likely to be convicted of crimes they didn’t commit, serve longer sentences than non-Black people for the same crimes, and be impacted by all injustices within our court and prison systems.
REFORMING THE SYSTEM.
Addressing wrongful convictions alone does not mean we have achieved true justice. Innocence work is one piece of a vast movement to confront injustice within our court and prison systems. While our mission is to advocate for innocent people, we believe the system should work equitably for everyone.
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POWER OF THE PROSECUTOR.
We understand that we have not done enough internally to combat these biases, leading to a majority white group of freed and exonerated clients. Our Staff and Board intentionally incorporate equity considerations in all we do, such as continually reviewing our application and case selection processes to account for the racist history of our criminal legal system and other systemic social inequities that lead to the disproportionate incarceration of non-white citizens.
LESTER GRIFFIN JOINS THE BOARD.
Lester Griffin, an actually innocent former WashIP client freed in 2017, joined the WashIP Board in November 2023.
Lester is the Executive Director of Clark County-based The Foundation WA, an organization that works within disenfranchised communities across Southwest Washington to restore missing components while providing the fundamental necessities needed to create success for the often marginalized and neglected.
While away from his children, loved ones, and friends, Lester became highly motivated to spread love, peace, and acceptance of others’ views as human beings. He became determined to share his newfound knowledge, wisdom, and understanding with those in his community. As a husband, father, friend, community advocator, and business owner, Lester’s mindset on healing reintegrated individuals and children to find their purpose and become comfortable in their skin.
THE TOLL OF WRONGFUL CONVICTION.
Wrongful conviction is deeply traumatic for everyone involved. We provide social and emotional support and connect exonerees and freed clients to services and resources so they can get back on their feet and return to the lives they’ve been missing. We also help connect them with a community of freed and exonerated people who can provide support and understanding that no one else can. Watch our video and hear directly from our exonerees and freed clients on the impact wrongful convictions have had on their lives and those of their loved ones.
Watch our video and hear directly from our exonerees and freed clients on the impact wrongful convictions have had on their lives and those of their loved ones.
Watch The Video
Wrongful Convictions by the Numbers.
16
Washington Innocence Project Exonerated Clients
4
Washington Innocence Project Freed Clients
52
Innocent people fully exonerated in Washington State since 1989
276
Years lost by Washington Innocence Project Freed and Exonerated Family to wrongful imprisonment in Washington State.
17,500,000
Cost to Washington taxpayers for wrongfully incarcerating Washington Innocence Project’s Freed and Exonerated Clients.
157,000,000
Total savings to Washington taxpayers resulting from Washington Innocence Project Freed and Exonerated Clients’ Release.
your support powers the truth.
We need your help to free the innocent men and women wrongly convicted in Washington State, and to help prevent wrongful convictions in the future.
