UC College of Law explores the Ohio Innocence Project in latest podcast episode

When wrongful convictions occur, is it fair to blame human error? What about false eyewitness testimonies, mistaken police lineups, or plain inherent bias? Or could it be that the justice system itself contributes to the rare, but possible, wrongful conviction?

The unfortunate reality is that innocent people are locked up for crimes they didn’t commit much more often than we think.

However, there are people working to change the system and help reverse wrongful convictions. The Ohio Innocence Project (OIP), housed at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law, works to prevent this injustice and uses innocence as their main motivation.

The law school’s podcast series, CincyLawCast, explores what goes on within the walls of OIP and what kind of legislation, if any, can prevent wrongful convictions from occurring. Since opening in 2003, the OIP has helped 27 citizens be released from prison on grounds of innocence. Combined, these citizens have served over 450 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.

The episode’s guests, Pierce Reed (OIP policy coordinator and system liaison) and Mallorie Thomas (OIP attorney) dive below the surface to explain how wrongful convictions happen, and what is being done to prevent them.

Be sure to check out the newest episode here.