Innocent In Prison Project International

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Learning from Wrongful Convictions, Ohio Passes Historic Reforms

Ohio lawmakers last week passed a package of sweeping criminal justice reforms http://ip.convio.net/site/R?i=fMgJzVWnGFt4JaY0-axI_A.. aimed at preventing injustice by addressing the leading causes of wrongful convictions. The bill, which Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to sign within days, was called by one lawmaker “one of the most important pieces of criminal justice legislation in this state in a century."

Each time DNA testing helps to free an innocent person from prison, we can study how our criminal justice system failed — and address the problem so it doesn’t happen again. Ohio is now a model in targeting reforms to help free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions and apprehend the true perpetrators of crime.

The bill includes improvements to lineup procedures, a method for parolees to apply for DNA testing, incentives for police departments to record interrogations and a requirement that evidence in serious crimes be preserved. The Innocence Project worked closely with the Ohio Innocence Project for the last two years to pass these critical reforms.

While these reforms are badly needed from coast to coast, the urgency for systemic change became clear in Ohio after the Columbus Dispatch published the groundbreaking series "Test of Convictions," http://ip.convio.net/site/R?i=lJYXd-YnEc53d3JQ0OlREA.. documenting flaws in the state’s system and helping to bring about two exonerations so far. The series’ two reporters, Mike Wagner and Geoff Dutton, will receive the Innocence Network’s first-annual Journalism Award http://ip.convio.net/site/R?i=mHC30KBbAnPST8C9woV9sw.. next month.