week 8 discussion
Wrongful Convictions
Discussion Question 1:
In your readings this week we will discuss the issues surrounding
wrongful convictions. In an effort to cover as much information as possible on
the topic, your responses to my questions may be brief.
Recently, the number of exonerations of wrongfully convicted
offenders has increased but justice is still not served upon their release from
prison. According to author Zalman,
“More than half the states do not legally authorize
financial compensation for persons who were victimized by the criminal justice
system in this way. A person who has been exonerated does not have automatic
grounds to sue and recover money damages against police or prosecutors.”
Currently, only 32 states have compensation statutes for the
wrongfully accused. Many of these states have clauses in the statutes that
stipulate if you plead guilty to a crime and are later exonerated, you are not
entitled to compensation.
The Innocence Project recommends that all states implement
wrongful conviction compensation statutes, and says each should offer a minimum
of $50,000 for each year a person spends in prison. People who plead guilty or
were coerced into confessing should not be restricted under these statutes.
(Slifer)
The psychological effect of being wrongfully convicted is
significant. Author Zalman states the following:
“Research and anecdotal evidence shows that a high
proportion of wrongfully convicted prisoners suffer severe psychological
consequences, including posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders,
which is not typical among actually guilty prisoners in the absence of life-threatening
experiences in prison. This complicates the ability of exonerated prisoners to
return to a normal life after release”.
In addition, those who are exonerated do not receive support
services upon their release, unlike offenders on probation because they were
found “not guilty” and they struggle to acclimate back into society without any
means.
1. Do you believe that all states should compensate persons
who are wrongfully convicted? Explain.
http://knowledge.sagepub.com.ezproxy..edu/view/criminology/n96.xml
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-the-wrongfully-convicted-are-compensated/
http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/sl-wrongful-conviction-compensation.html
Mandatory DNA Testing
To eliminate wrongful convictions the topic of mandatory DNA
testing has become popular. The constitutionality of DNA testing is
controversial and many feel the testing is an invasion of privacy since
suspects may have to submit to testing before being found guilty.
In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that it was okay for the
police to obtain DNA samples from suspects after arresting for serious crimes.
3. Review the
following links and then answer the question:
What is your opinion of DNA testing of suspects?
Video: Titled “DNA Often the Best Tool in Criminology”
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/23152866#23152866
– Infographic contained in the following link titled
“Wrongful Convictions and the DNA That Frees Them”.
http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/wrongful-convictions-and-the-dna-evidence-that-frees-them/
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-06-03/news/ct-met-court-dna-0604-20130604_1_dna-samples-dna-testing-mouth-swab
Discussion Question 2
During the first week of class my response to each of you
was to ensure that this course met your educational goals. Did you find this
course interesting and helpful?
Good luck with your final project!
