HOUSTON (AP) — Richard Miles faced significant challenges seeking employment after his release from Texas prison in 2009, armed only with a collection of newspaper clippings detailing his wrongful murder conviction. He quickly learned that rejection was the norm, as potential employers in warehouses and fast-food restaurants turned him away due to the stigma associated with his past. This experience is a common struggle for many exonerees, individuals wrongfully convicted and later released from prison.
Calvin Duncan, another exoneree who served nearly 30 years in prison before having his murder conviction vacated in 2021, recently faced a setback himself. After being elected the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court in New Orleans, he learned that Louisiana lawmakers intended to abolish the office he was set to lead. The developments surrounding Duncan's situation have resonated with exonerees nationwide, highlighting the ongoing biases and stigmas they encounter as they attempt to reintegrate into society.
"We’re still kind of looked at as an inmate that did a particular crime," Miles expressed, indicating the ongoing challenges posed by societal perceptions. "When cases like in Louisiana occur, it just shows us that the system is not healing itself." Although Duncan was eager to address issues within the criminal justice system that had wrought him injustice, the legislative decision to eliminate his position signifies persistent obstacles for those seeking redemption after wrongful convictions.
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, over 3,800 people have been exonerated in the U.S. since 1989. Despite their freedom, exonerees are often excluded from essential government services like employment, housing assistance, and mental health support, which are typically available to individuals on parole or probation. Jeffrey Deskovic, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder in New York, shared his own experience of being denied help from reentry organizations due to his status as an exoneree.
While 38 states have enacted laws providing compensation to wrongfully convicted individuals, receiving these funds can take years. Organizations such as After Innocence are working to bridge these service gaps by helping exonerees access job training, healthcare, and housing assistance while also advocating for the correction of their criminal records. Miles, who spent over 14 years in prison, now runs Miles of Freedom in Dallas, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding former inmates, including exonerees, in rebuilding their lives.
The obstacles that exonerees face, such as a lack of recent work experience and viable skills, hinder their chances of finding employment. Furthermore, workplace discrimination against individuals with criminal records exacerbates the situation. Research suggests that the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is significantly higher than the national average; a 2018 study indicated that over 27% of people released from prison were unemployed, in contrast to a national unemployment rate of 4.3%. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that one-third of federal prisoners released in 2010 remained unemployed four years later.
Deskovic, who founded the Deskovic Foundation to assist wrongfully convicted individuals, recounted how job applications during his early days of freedom were met with consistent rejection. Duncan’s election to office highlighted the potential for recovery and achievement, yet it also underscored the enduring skepticism faced by exonerees. "If he wasn’t an exoneree, would they be doing this to him? I’m sure that they would not," Deskovic reflected.
Efforts to provide legislative support for exonerees continue, with Eldan's organization collaborating with lawmakers to establish laws that offer both financial compensation and essential services. For instance, Delaware has passed legislation to compensate wrongfully imprisoned individuals with a stipend and assistance in housing, nutrition, and health care, including a certificate recognizing their wrongful incarceration.
Further advocacy is needed to establish similar measures in other states like California and New Mexico. Miles and Eldan emphasize the importance of funding initiatives that can effectively aid exonerees as they transition back into society. “It’s hard to write into a statute something that actually translates into real benefit for these people,” Eldan noted, underscoring the complexities of translating legislative action into tangible support for those who have suffered wrongful convictions.
Ben Spencer spent 34 years in prison before his exoneration in 2021. After multiple failed job applications, he ultimately secured a position as a facilities engineer through the support of individuals who recognized the injustice of his wrongful conviction. Spencer reflects on his journey, noting the challenges of acclimating to the modern world after years in prison, but he has made progress towards financial stability with the help he received.
