What Are the Effects of Wrongful Imprisonment?

Over the past few decades, concerns regarding false convictions have developed in several different legal systems.  High-profile cases frequently highlight both the negative impacts of a wrongly convicted person on them and the flaws in the criminal justice system. There is less information regarding the mental health consequences for those who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for lengthy periods before their convictions are overturned.  

Research has now clearly shown that false conviction and incarceration are often caused by a multitude of circumstances that, in most cases, coexist to varied degrees. False confessions, police, and prosecution wrongdoing, excessive reliance on informants held in jail, improper use of forensic science, and incorrect eyewitness identification and testimony are some of the reasons. This article dives into some of the challenges experienced by exonerees and analyzes potential ways in which compensation laws should be modified to better support exonerees.

Incarceration and Wrongful Convictions

Imprisonment has both short-term and long-term consequences for those involved. The harsh conditions of jail force inmates to develop coping mechanisms. Increased reliance on authority figures, heightened alertness, psychological withdrawal, diminished self-esteem, and PTSD are some of the potential effects. People who have been falsely convicted frequently create routines to help them get through the monotony of jail life and the hopelessness of their legal proceedings. 

People who are innocent of their crimes suffer far more from the traumas and stressors of jail than those who are guilty. Those doing time for a crime they committed understand that they did something wrong. Wrongfully accused people do not have any criminal tendencies or ambitions, and they are well aware that they do not belong in jail. They know that their arrest, conviction, and incarceration are all completely unfair. Additionally, those whose confessions were compelled, go through additional discomfort, which intensifies trauma.

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Mental Health Conditions

According to studies, those who have been falsely convicted commonly suffer from many mental health disorders. Many innocent people who have been unfairly condemned have no prior history of mental illness yet have developed these symptoms and diseases. Consequently, it implies that these results are probably due to “the wrongful arrest, conviction, or imprisonment.” Wrongfully convicted persons often have mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Stigma

Those who have been falsely convicted often also have to deal with the social stigma that comes along with a criminal record. Wrongfully convicted persons may still be seen as a threat due to the negative perceptions connected stigmas listed above. Because of the stigma, people may have trouble finding decent work or maintaining healthy relationships.

Social Relationships

People who have been unfairly convicted or exonerated sometimes report having difficulty maintaining relationships. Individuals who have been falsely convicted sometimes withdraw from society following their ordeal, either out of a desire for solitude or a desire to avoid being a burden to those around them. And it’s not unusual for a person’s social networks to suffer once they’ve been falsely accused.

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Adjustment Challenges

It can be difficult for those who have been wrongfully convicted to readjust to society after being freed from jail. To challenge their conviction and subsequent incarceration, many people spend years in and out of the judicial system. Those who have spent time behind bars face unique challenges as they readjust to the harsh routine of prison life.

Family Grief and Loss

Those who are wrongfully convicted suffer tremendous losses. These included being unable to accomplish the things they formerly enjoyed doing, as well as not feeling like themselves anymore. However, the loss of loved ones proved to be the most devastating. The incarcerated person’s family also suffers as a result of the loss of their loved one. They may lose access to a crucial source of money in addition to losing their loved one’s emotional support and having to cope with the harsh reality that they have a relative in jail.

Managing the Effects of an Unjust Conviction

A lack of official assistance for ex-convicts is a major contributor to the already difficult psychological situation these individuals find themselves in after being falsely convicted. While many states give parolees reentry programs, exonerees seldom receive such support. Attorneys and groups have strong feelings on these matters, but their attention is usually directed around the trial and sentencing or the appeal and release. 

When the state commits a crime, such as a wrongful conviction, the victims deserve to have their lives restored. Fair compensation is a good place to start. It is extremely challenging to reintegrate into society after being wrongfully convicted, even if one is eventually exonerated. The state re-victimizes people who were unfairly convicted by refusing to offer fair compensation and refusing to make amends for its wrongdoing.  

Getting Compensated for Wrongful Imprisonment

People who have been wrongfully imprisoned deserve compensation for the time and freedom they have irrevocably lost. Incorrectly convicted people typically turn to compensation laws for help getting their lives back on track. Getting money is a good start, but it won’t fix everything for someone who was unfairly convicted. 

Wrongfully convicted persons suffer a host of other issues that money can’t fix. Lack of work experience or education cannot be compensated for by financial means. It won’t help someone rebuild their relationships, become well again, or readjust to society after serving time in prison. 

Exonerees require insurance, accommodation, a job, as well as medical and mental healthcare after being freed from prison. While financial resources can help address some of these issues, states must nonetheless fulfill their responsibility.

The Bottom Line

After being wrongfully incarcerated, exonerees suffer a wide range of issues that affect every aspect of their lives. Wrongfully convicted persons have unique challenges because of their innocence, even if those found guilty of the same crimes suffer similar challenges upon release. Notwithstanding, more resources are allocated to helping parolees reintegrate into society than are wrongfully convicted people.

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If you need immediate funds to get your life back on track after a wrongful imprisonment, wrongful conviction, or before your case settles, contact us at High Rise Financial today on (866) 407-6404. Our experienced team will be happy to discuss with you and enlighten you about your available lawsuit loan options. 

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