I make no secret of my frustration with our state legislature. There’s an ocean of bad bills out there that suck up time.
Every year, there are a few good ideas that seem to from nowhere and that usually vanish under the weight of the other stuff. One this year I hadn’t given much thought to is Greg Bell’s bill on compensation for exonerated prisoners; the bill makes some requirements concerning proof but acknowledges that a great many prisoners have been proven innocent through DNA testing and establishes some standards for reimbursement. The bill sets a standard – the average of a single wage earner in Utah – and limits the sum to the total of 15 years earnings, but I think it’s a good idea. It allows exonerated prisoners to receive a lump sum payment equal to 2 years pay, then the rest in quarterly payments. I think it’s a good idea that allows former prisoners to get their lives back on track. FWIW, I’m not sure this bill would actually limit civil lawsuits against the state for damages – quite frankly not many employers are willing to hire released criminals, even innocent ones.
I hope Senator Bell’s bill gets some traction. I’d like to see the compensation increased, but the principle is sound.Â
#1 by Ethan on January 18, 2008 - 11:52 am
This is not a good bill.
#2 by Glenden Brown on January 18, 2008 - 12:28 pm
Ethan – what is it about the bill that you see as problematic?
#3 by Larry Bergan on January 18, 2008 - 2:33 pm
There is a very good film called “After Innocence” that I saw at the university. They had one of the exonerated give a talk after the show. You get let out and everybody acts glad to see you, but then what? According to society, you are now tainted by prison and a burden. There is nothing we can do to repay these people for having been wrongly accused and incarcerated. I can’t think of anything more horrifying then to have even your relatives and family members wonder if you committed the crime.
I don’t know the particulars of the bill, but the fact that something is happening on this issue is wonderful. Why are Americans so willing to say “throw away the key” for some and say nothing when people who should be in jail take no flack. I just don’t get it. This is the very least we can do to help somebody who has already lost years of their lives and may never truly get back what they had before.
#4 by Glenden Brown on January 19, 2008 - 10:22 am
Larry – I’ve seen similar reports. Once exonerated, prisoners find life outside of prison uniquely challenging, especially in the area of employment – they essentially have to present proof they were exonerated, but they’re still distrusted, still stigmatized. I’m not sure if this is the best bill possible, but it seems like a good place to start and acknowledges that our justice system makes mistakes.