Wrongful Conviction Day
October 2nd Every Year
Lift your voice, amplify your impact, fight for freedom
Take action with us! Annually, October 2nd is recognized internationally as Wrongful Conviction Day, a day to raise awareness about the causes of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful conviction on individuals, families, and communities.
The New England Innocence Project has marked the day through a variety of events, including a public march and rally in Boston alongside families, advocates, legislators, exonerees, and community members to uplift the voices of those directly impacted, honor loved ones still incarcerated, and call out the injustices of the criminal legal system.
About the Event
Details
When: Friday, October 2, 2026
Where: TBD
Time: TBD
About the New England Innocence Project
We free innocent people from prison, support families impacted by incarceration, and fight to end the oppressive harms of the criminal legal system throughout New England.
◾ March with Us
Mark your calendar for Friday, October 2, 2026, and check back for 2026 details! Join our newsletter to stay updated.
How to Get Involved
◾ Submit a Photo of a Loved One Incarcerated in New England
Do you have a loved one fighting for freedom or someone you lost after injustice in New England? Submit a photo of them to have a poster created for you to pick up and lift up during the march and rally.
To request a printed posted of your loved one, please send an e-mail to general@newenglandinnocence.org with the following items and information:
Your name
Your preferred email address
Full name of your loved one who is incarcerated
Number of years incarcerated
High-resolution photo(s) of your loved one
All posters will be available for pick-up at the start of our Wrongful Conviction Day event.
◾ Collaborate with Us
As we continue to grow this movement, we’re looking to partner with mission-aligned organizations and individuals. Through collaboration, we aim to broaden public awareness, center impacted voices, strengthen community solidarity, and create meaningful opportunities for partners to stand visibly and valuably within the shared work of fighting injustice and supporting healing.
To discuss a possible collaboration with us in honor of Wrongful Conviction Day, please send an email to general@newenglandinnocence.org for more information.
2025 Wrongful Conviction Day
Last year on October 1, 2025, we honored Wrongful Conviction Day in Massachusetts by:
Rallying to support legislation that would help exonerees receive adequate compensation for their loss and trauma
Holding a press conference to share lessons learned from the exoneration of Edward Wright, wrongfully incarcerated for 41 years for a Springfield murder he did not commit
Marching with our community to Boston’s City Hall, sharing stories and lifted photos of our loved ones who are still fighting for freedom from behind the wall
In New Hampshire, we gathered to hear from exonerees about why there should be no time limit on going back to court if you have new evidence of innocence. There should be no expiration date on justice.
This is a day for us to come together, in solidarity, to support everyone for whom the fight continues. We will not stop fighting until we are all free.
A Look Back
Photos by Ellen Rogers Photography