Georgia Innocence Project

“I was inside all the time in prison. Now I’m going to be in the light." Lee's journey from wrongful incarceration to entrepreneurship has been featured in the Rome News-Tribune! Read more about how he's turning his past into a bright future with Lee’s Landscaping & More, and how you can contact him for your landscaping needs! https://lnkd.in/e8HQEHHf

Today is #wrongfulconvictionday! We've been out in the community raising awareness about the causes and consequences of wrongful conviction, from speaking with student groups to local organizations. Here's a snapshot of Wajiha, GIP's Legal Records Specialist, speaking at the Nur-ul-Quran Institute in Roswell. How will you take action for #wrongfulconvictionday? Learn, share, or donate today via our website: https://lnkd.in/eT5Bad4M

Tomorrow is the 11th annual #WrongfulConvictionDay — a day to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful conviction for innocent people and their families. How will you observe #WrongfulConvictionDay this year? Stay tuned for highlights from our weeklong efforts to raise awareness and engage with our community on the issues of wrongful convictions in Georgia!

Co-counsel support is a driving force behind our case successes. Thank you to Noah H. Pines, Ross & Pines, LLC, and all the incredible legal professionals who have championed cases and shared their dedication over the years, helping to free and exonerate wrongfully incarcerated, innocent individuals across Georgia!

Shoutout to the amazing team at The Pippin Project for their generous donations of refurbished computers and iPads to our clients over the past few years! Your support has made a big difference, empowering those we serve with the tools they need. Check out this great article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the incredible impact they're making! https://lnkd.in/eWdzwPaq

Did you hear the news? GIP is looking for our next Executive Director! Georgia Innocence Project is searching for a visionary leader to spearhead our mission to free innocent people from prison and mitigate the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions in Georgia. ?? Priority Application Deadline: This Sunday, September 29th ?? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/e7WPzSAt

Announcement from Clare Gilbert (GIP’s Executive Director): At Georgia Innocence Project (GIP), we strive to embrace continuous improvement and change. With that in mind, I am excited to share that GIP has embarked on a search for a new Executive Director. My family has received a great opportunity that we couldn't refuse, and we are relocating to a small city on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.? GIP is at a wonderful point to embark on an executive transition, stronger than the organization has been in years, with an experienced, skilled, and talented staff, board, and freed and exonerated community all working in tandem to advance GIP's mission. Our Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Alan Essig, has formed an Executive Search Committee, with a staff representative and an exoneree representative serving on the committee. I will stay on at GIP as ED through the transition, working remotely and returning to Georgia one week each month during the search, hiring, and onboarding process. ? It has been an absolute honor and a privilege to serve for eight years as GIP's executive director. I've learned so much from you all about courage, resilience, perseverance, community, and love. I am optimistic about this next phase of the organization's growth and impact.? We’d love your help spreading the word about the Executive Director position! Please email [email protected] with any recommendations or questions about the role and hiring process. Thank you in advance for your support. ? With gratitude, Clare, and everyone at GIP

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Clarence Harrison's freedom! After serving 17 years for a crime he didn’t commit, Clarence was the first individual GIP had the privilege in helping to exonerate. We celebrate you, Clarence, and your unwavering fight for justice for others who still deserve their freedom. Happy freedom anniversary, Clarence! ??

Exciting Case Update! After a nine-month wait since the three-day contested habeas corpus hearing in Washington County, we've finally received Erik Heard’s hearing transcript. This crucial step allows our legal team to proceed with post-hearing briefings for the Judge to make a ruling. The transcript is a massive 26 volumes—over 780 pages of testimony and 2,800 pages of exhibits! Obtaining these documents is both time-consuming and expensive. We are incredibly thankful to our co-counsel at Alston & Bird for covering the costs, allowing us to continue to work on Erik’s case. Learn more about Erik's ongoing case here: https://lnkd.in/eGBpbYpF

On Juneteenth, GIP exoneree John White joined Judith Johnson and Tara Burkett, sisters of the late Calvin C. Johnson, Jr., to discuss the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund and the work of GIP on The Mixx 106 Radio, hosted by Dee Cee. They talked about how the fund provides essential social and re-entry support services for GIP clients nearing exoneration, as well as for freed and exonerated individuals in Georgia. We are excited to start this fund with support of Calvin's family to help further his impact and legacy. Learn more about the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund and how you can donate today: https://lnkd.in/eAXJFpVi