Supporting Exonerees and Freed People as they Rebuild
June 2023 - 2024
As this community continues to grow, the Exoneree Network (EN) team is hard at work supporting exonerees and their family members, people freed but still fighting a wrongful conviction, and those coming home after long-term incarceration. It has been a busy year for the Exoneree Network, helping people rebuild their lives, and here are just a few of the highlights:
Building the Team
Director Sean Ellis continues to build out this incredible team of people who are skilled and deeply committed to this work based on their backgrounds and life experiences. With the assistance of Operation A.B.L.E., the Exoneree Network created two part-time positions for individuals who have been freed but are still fighting their legal battles, providing them with much-needed employment opportunities and job skills to enter the workforce after more than 70 years of collective incarceration.
We are thrilled to have the talents and experience of our new team members:
Raymond Gaines, Peer Advocate
Stephen Pina, Community Engagement Associate
Community Impact
The Exoneree Network has been actively supporting community members and their families through various initiatives over the past year. Some of our key achievements include:
Increased Engagement in Programming: In the last year, the total number of exonerees attending EN programs increased by more than 400%. In addition, the average number of programs attended by each exoneree more than doubled.
Increased Program Offerings: We increased our program offerings by 3 times and included more gatherings, therapeutic support, technology and financial literacy training, and opportunities to share stories.
Seasonal Stipend Program Launch: EN launched a seasonal stipend program, distributing 94 stipends amounting to $47,000 in direct cash assistance to community members.
Tech Trainings with Deloitte: In collaboration with Deloitte, EN organized three tech training sessions for exonerees, enhancing their skills and technological literacy.
Support Groups: EN facilitated three support groups, providing emotional and social support to community members.
Wellness Retreats: EN hosted four wellness retreats, benefiting exonerees and their significant others, focusing on communication and mental health.
Housing & Rental Assistance: EN allocated $16,000 to assist exonerees with rental expenses. The Exoneree Network has also created a “Freedom House” to provide immediate transitional housing for people returning from long-term incarceration, aiding in their reintegration into society.
New Day Funds: EN provided $4,000 in new day funds to support various immediate needs of exonerees.
Bringing Our Community Together
The EN hosted or participated in several community events throughout the year, including:
A storytelling workshop with Stellar Story for people directly impacted by wrongful convictions. Attendees began to cultivate a personal story library they could draw from when sharing their unique experiences in order to effect change.
The third annual Celebration of Freedom & Community at Kimball Farm for people directly impacted and their loved ones to come together to connect, share, and heal.
The annual Innocence Network Conference in New Orleans, the world's largest gathering of exonerees, freed people, their families, and advocates. This year, we had 15 exonerees and freed people from New England attend. Collectively, they lost more than 415 years wrongfully imprisoned.
Raising Awareness
The Exoneree Network has seen great success in using our platform to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and the long and difficult journey exonerees and freed people face upon release, including:
Participating in speaking opportunities and events to talk about the work of the Exoneree Network on a regular basis
Participating in media interviews to help amplify exoneree stories and talk about issues that impact people returning from long-term incarceration
Advocating for fellow community members by showing up to court hearings to lend support
Fighting for legislative reforms that uplift, restore dignity, and instill hope along the journey to freedom, including just compensation for people who have been wrongfully convicted.
Working toward the goal of ensuring all exonerees and freed people know they are not alone and have access to support upon their release