If someone who is wrongfully accused of committing a crime, they should be compensated for their time in prison.

When Michael Graham was released from prison after 14 years for 2 murders he did not commit, he was given a coat and 10 dollars. However, Graham’s lawyer claims that he should be compensated when released from prison. The lawyer, John Holdridge, says that not only should the state of Louisiana give Graham more money but also have another look at the death penalty. There have been many others who have been wrongfully accused who didn’t get the chance to be compensated, or even leave alive.

The biggest problem with a person who just got out of prison after being wrongfully accused of a crime is trying to reenter society. There should be an obligation to promptly provide compassionate assistance to the wrongfully convicted in ways such as giving them financial support, help with finding a place to live, therapy, and assistance with education. There are already services to those who are wrongfully accused but it may be difficult to get such services.

If the government helps the person convicted, there may be no need for compensation, but if nobody helps them what will they do with no money and no place to go?

“It seems  a little harsh to just throw someone out of jail who shouldn’t have been there in the first place and give them nothing to live off of,” says WHHS student John Insignia.

After a long decision in federal court, the federal wrongful conviction compensation statute was created, and is the only statute that offers higher compensation for those who spent time in jail and on death row. Under the federal statute, a person can be awarded up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment and up to $100,000 per year on death row.