A wrongful conviction can have negative consequences on an individual and their family members. After rejoining society, ex-convicts face immense challenges of reintegrating into society. The problem is more complicated when these individuals were convicted of a crime they did not commit. Recent studies have primarily focused on the psychological effects associated with a wrongful conviction. Besides the challenges of reintegration, they have difficulties in reclaiming normality and curving out a normal life. They have to grapple with years of unjust separation from the family members and the problems lying ahead, such as poverty, unemployment, broken relationships, and societal discrimination. The exonerees have an altered sense of justice and live in perpetual fear for the rest of their lives. Therefore, all these factors have a toll on the mental health of an individual. Wrongfully convicted exonerees are predisposed to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to multiple issues within and outside the prison.
A wrongful conviction can lead to damage to reputation and self-stigma, which eventually lead to psychological problems. Studies have not provided a clear picture of the statistics of persons that are wrongfully convicted. However, Brooks and Greenberg (2020) established that about 15.4% of all convictions are wrongful. Once the exonerees are out, they have to contend with a damaged reputation of a crime they did not commit. In the eyes of society, they remain criminals regardless of their defense. An individual's inability to clear their name leaves them with a feeling of shame, guilt, and blame. The overall impact of all these aspects is stigmatization. A direct correlation exists between stigmatization and mental health conditions. Self-stigma is particularly dangerous because it is internalized within an individual (Ahmedani, 2011). The ex-convict continuously feels guilty and inadequate thanks to their situation. Self-stigma that affects an individual's daily functioning could usher in depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Therefore, the damaged reputation and stigmatization from within could adversely affect an individual's mental health.
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Like any other convict, Exonerees can stay in prison for an extended period ranging from a few to tens of years. Upon their release, these individuals find that the world has changed rapidly. Studies have shown that a lengthy stay in the prison facilities could come at the expense of an individual’s social skills (Wildeman, Costelloe, & Schehr, 2011). The lack of social skills and the subsequent isolation gives birth to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. In a study conducted by Brooks & Greenberg (2020), the researchers found that isolation and the difficulty to adjust contribute to anxiety and depression. The individuals are stressed and cannot develop the much-needed coping skills due to their isolation from society. Poor social skills also mean that the exonerees have strained relationships with their families and community members. Individuals might end up feeling guiltier and give up on life. Their perception of a miscarriage of justice causes them more pain and less trust, especially when interacting with others. Therefore, wrong convicted exonerees have weakened social and community ties that predispose them to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
The post-release problems are also caused by the traumatic events that these individuals experience in prison. Brooks and Greenberg (2020) found that most exonerees experience traumatic conditions while in prison, including assault, harassment, and fear of being killed by other inmates. Some individuals are subjected to severe incidences of violence. Therefore, this increases the chances of the ex-convicts experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD has adverse implications on an individual and could contribute to a reduced quality of life. Individuals experience difficulties in sleeping as the images of the traumatic events continue to flash in their minds. PTSD is also a significant cause of reduced quality of relationships in families and hospitality. The police questioning remains one of the causes of nightmares for wrongfully convicted persons. Other traumatic experiences include bullying, intimidation, and abuse by police officers (Brooks & Greenberg, 2020). The PTSD characterizes their post-imprisonment lifestyle and adversely affects their ability to reintegrate into society.
Most ex-convicts do not have the much-needed government assistance to secure employment opportunities and other resources such as safe housing. Individuals are compelled to depend on family members and friends for survival (Wildeman et al., 2011). Some prisons do not provide the exonerees with enough money to transport them home. Some adults with no option are forced to move in with their parents. The situation is more difficult if the ex-convict had a family before incarceration. The vivid reminder of the wrongful conviction, coupled with the inability to fend for themselves and their families, could lead to psychological turmoil. Feelings such as self-worth and despair could exacerbate stress and depression. According to Wildeman et al. (2011), wrongfully convicted individuals believe that their unjust incarceration is to blame for their lack of economic opportunities. They spend the rest of their lives blaming their situation on the wrongful conviction. Therefore, this creates emotional and psychological problems for the affected individuals.
The wrongful conviction of women presents unique psychological effects on the victims. Research has shown that the number of incarcerated women has increased five-fold over the past two decades. The increased number of imprisoned women results from the recent war on drugs that has increased the number of drug-related convictions (Konvisser, 2011). Historically, women's position in the national correctional facilities has raised fundamental questions. Essentially, women are held in facilities that are designed and run by men. The correctional system has failed to take specific considerations of the uniqueness of women, including motherhood and the increased predisposition to mental health problems. While incarcerated, separation from spouses and family members adversely affects women's psychological and emotional stability (Konvisser, 2011). The mental health problems suffered while incarcerated are likely to be carried throughout their entire life. The loss of touch with children remains a significant area of consideration when dealing with women exonerees. First, the period of separation between the mother and the child has a toll on their relationship (Konvisser, 2011). Secondly, the women might feel guilt and shame knowing that their children believe that they did a crime they never committed. A compounding of these issues has an adverse toll on the woman's mental health.
In conclusion, wrongfully convicted exonerees are predisposed to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to multiple issues within and outside the prison. Examples of these issues include the miscarriage of justice, traumatic events, stigmatization, unemployment, and broken social ties. Therefore, policymakers in the criminal justice system must take several measures to mitigate the adverse mental health problems. First, they must work to repair the damaged image of the former convicts by emphasizing their innocence. Secondly, the government must support wrongfully convicted individuals financially to ensure that they support their families and avoid stressful conditions. Thirdly, stakeholders must learn to accept ex-convicts regardless of their initial crime. Exonerees are rehabilitated individuals, and society members must assist them in their reintegration. Finally, the criminal justice system must enhance efficiency and effectiveness in handling cases to avoid wrongful conviction of innocent people.
References
Ahmedani, B. K. (2011). Mental health stigma: society, individuals, and the profession. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics , 8 (2), 4-1.
Brooks, S. K., & Greenberg, N. (2020). Psychological impact of being wrongfully accused of criminal offenses: A systematic literature review. Medicine, Science and the Law , 0025802420949069.
Konvisser, Z. D. (2011). Psychological consequences of wrongful conviction in women and the possibility of positive change. DePaul J. Soc. Just. , 5 , 221.
Wildeman, J., Costelloe, M., & Schehr, R. (2011). Experiencing Wrongful and Unlawful Conviction . Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 50(7), 411–432. doi:10.1080/10509674.2011.603033
