HOUSTON – Richard Miles faced a tough reality when he was released from prison in Texas in 2009. Armed with nothing but newspaper clippings about his wrongful murder conviction, he set out to find a job. Unfortunately, he quickly discovered that no one wanted to hire him, not even in warehouses or fast-food restaurants.
This painful experience of rejection is all too familiar for many exonerees—people who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes. Their struggles are highlighted by the case of Calvin Duncan, who was elected to a position in New Orleans after proving his innocence but now faces the risk of losing that job due to political maneuvering. Louisiana lawmakers recently sent a bill to abolish the office he was set to occupy.
Miles points out, “We’re still kind of like looked at as an inmate that did a particular crime. It further deteriorates our ability to believe that the system can heal itself.” After much struggle, he eventually found work through a church minister, illustrating the uphill battle many exonerees face.
The fight in Louisiana resonates deeply with exonerees across the United States. Many see Duncan’s situation as a reflection of the biases and stigmas they encounter daily while trying to rebuild their lives.
Duncan spent nearly 30 years in prison before his conviction was vacated in 2021, following revelations that police officers had lied in court. He was elected as the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court in November, with plans to reform the flawed system that wronged him. He was set to take office on May 4.
Supporters of the bill to dissolve Duncan’s office claim it’s about improving government efficiency, not about his past. Yet, the stigma of having been imprisoned remains a significant barrier for many exonerees.
Jon Eldan, founder of After Innocence, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping exonerees, emphasizes that even those who are exonerated still face societal prejudices. “Even if they are seen as somebody who is exonerated, there is still a stigma as somebody who has been in prison,” he said.
Challenges Faced by Exonerees
Since 1989, more than 3,800 individuals have been exonerated in the U.S., according to the National Registry of Exonerations. However, unlike individuals released from parole or probation, exonerees often lack access to essential government services, such as employment assistance, housing help, and mental health care.
Jeffrey Deskovic, who spent 16 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, shares a similar experience. “I was turned down by many prisoner reentry organizations because they said, ‘Look, you’re not on parole, you’re not on probation,’” he recalled.
While 38 states have laws to compensate wrongfully convicted individuals, it often takes years for them to receive any financial support.
Organizations like After Innocence strive to connect exonerees with resources for job training, housing, and healthcare. They also work to help clear the criminal records of these individuals to accurately reflect their true stories.
Support Systems and Success Stories
Miles, who spent over 14 years in prison, now runs a nonprofit called Miles of Freedom in Dallas, assisting formerly incarcerated individuals, including exonerees, in rebuilding their lives.
The challenges he faced finding a job—like a lack of work history and relevant skills—are common among exonerees. Many employers are hesitant to hire someone with a prison record.
While there are no official statistics on exonerees’ employment rates, studies indicate that the unemployment rate for people with prison records is significantly higher than the national average. A 2018 study from the Prison Policy Initiative found that over 27% of formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed. Meanwhile, a Bureau of Justice Statistics report showed that 33% of federal prisoners released in 2010 struggled to find jobs for four years after their release, compared to a national unemployment rate of 4.3%.
Deskovic utilized the compensation he received after his release to establish the Deskovic Foundation, which aims to support individuals wrongfully convicted. He went on to earn a law degree to advocate for others in similar situations.
Exonerees often share stories of persistent challenges in securing employment. Supporters point to Duncan’s achievements, highlighting that even after rebuilding his life and winning an election, he still faces skepticism regarding his past.
Advocating for Change
Eldan’s organization successfully collaborated with a Delaware senator to enact a law providing compensation for wrongful imprisonment, along with benefits like housing assistance and health insurance. They are also working with other states like California and New Mexico to develop similar programs.
Both Eldan and Miles advocate for more states to fund programs that assist exonerees post-release. “It’s hard to write into a statute something that actually translates into real benefit for these people,” Eldan noted, emphasizing that while the state isn’t inherently bad, it often struggles to deliver effective services.
Ben Spencer, who spent 34 years wrongfully imprisoned for a murder in Dallas, faced similar employment challenges after his release in 2021. Despite applying for many jobs, including positions at an Amazon warehouse and as an airport baggage loader, he struggled to find work. Eventually, a supporter helped him secure a job as a facilities engineer, a position he has held for five years.
Reflecting on his experience, Spencer said, “When I walked out of the jail, it was like waking up out
