Crime and Punishment: Convicting the Innocent

WORDS OF AN INNOCENT CONVICT

Wrongful convictions can and do happen and are notoriously difficult to overturn. Innocent prisoners invariably find that legal aid funding is limited and legal loopholes strangle them every step of the way. It is often easier for the innocent to admit guilt and responsibility for crimes that were never committed, in order to regain their freedom. This should not be the case in a civilised society. There should be more provision for prisoners maintaining their innocence and more assistance for the falsely accused in preparing an adequate defence. Once an innocent person becomes caught up in a Justice System designed to punish and rehabilitate, they are victimised for refusing to go with the flow and often end up with longer sentences than the guilty. Innocent people should not be made to feel remorse for crimes that never happened or show empathy towards their so called victims in order to get a lighter sentence or get parole.

The following paragraphs are extracts from the letters of an innocent man who is serving a virtual life sentence in a UK prison for crimes that never happened. He will never be released if the Parole Board decide he poses a threat to the public at the end of his tariff, even though he was never any threat to begin with! Since his incarceration over a year ago he has lost all hope of ever proving his innocence and clearing his good name. He has done no wrong but he is a victim of the system and a hostage of the state.

Let his words speak for themselves and the UK Criminal Justice System admit that it can and does make mistakes:

"I am angry and and distressed at what has happened to me. I couldn't believe the verdict, especially after one of my accusers admitted lying on the stand and everyone there was caught out in some contradiction or inconsistency or other."

"The dock officer who guarded me throughout the trial, came back down to visit me in the holding cell. He said "I just thought I'd let you know son, and tell you I think you've been very badly done by."

"I said, "Well, I wouldn't have convicted someone on the evidence brought against me."

"He said: "Neither would I and for what it's worth, I don't think you did it."

"A probation officer has told me that as long as I was looking for an appeal or maintaining my innocence I would be considered "In denial."

"Being given an indeterminate sentence means that getting out while I remained "In denial" would be virtually zero. There

are courses for offenders which improve the chance of getting parole and early release - it could make the difference between doing 3, 6 or even 9 years. But I would have to "Admit guilt" and give up all hope of ever proving my innocence."

"I have felt under terrible pressure to admit guilt and responsibility for my "Offences" or I will never get out. I have not slept for days and am very depressed. A quite uncompromising officer saw me this morning and I have signed my innocence away. I do not know any other way forward. I feel like I am going mad and losing my grip on what is real and true. I am going to get counseling. There was never going to be any money for a successful appeal and there is no hope of ever proving my innocence. I've been worn down by the system. I am not a great man, like one of those who maintains innocence for long years and is willing to give up his whole life for it. Right now I feel weak and pathetic and broken but there is nothing I can do."

"I signed papers acknowledging guilt saying I will do the offender treatment programs. If I do not do this I will never get out on an indeterminate sentence. Nobody "On the out" knows what pressure I have been under, the uncompromising discrimination of the system, the threats, personal and institutional, the intimidation, (WORD BLANKED OUT), coercion and casual callousness. It has broken me. I am ashamed and humiliated. I wish I could be stronger to be willing to pay the price and give up everything for the truth. It will look for all the world that I am guilty, not even protesting my innocence."

"Part of me has died inside. I wish I didn't have to continue. I keep thinking of the Judge and his words and I have signed my life over to such idiotic judgments of me and my spirit feels crushed."

"I have not been able to speak to anyone I love over the phone or really turn to anyone who cares in anything more than in an impersonal way. This is how they crush people by giving them no genuine recourse. I cannot even write or ring without all being routinely monitored. How can I speak my heart to unsympathetic and possibly hostile strangers? Even now as I write, I am aware of Big Brother leering over my shoulder and analyzing every line. How can I endure through the years to come? I am almost without hope. Only a little remains."

"In the eyes of the law I am guilty. In the eyes of strangers - guilty. Those who know me and love me know otherwise."

"The only thing that matters to me now is that there are those who love me and know me - my true character - what I have been to them over the years."

"I am on the brink of despair. My life is utterly ruined."

"I am worn down. Not only is there no fight left in me - I do not feel there is any viable way of fighting within the corrupt system we have."

"I am a broken shell of a man and I only continue out of love for those who love me. I have no hope for the future. Sometimes we have to accept defeat and injustice. Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. I really don't know anything anymore; only I am mentally and emotionally exhausted to the point of collapse."

"I am trying to forgive those who put me here but I am not sure I am able to."

 

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