Study: Wrongful convictions cost (Illinois) taxpayers $214M

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

A new investigation has found that the wrongful convictions of 85 people have cost Illinois taxpayers $214 million.

The seven-month investigation by the Chicago-based Better Government Association and the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University's law school found the bulk of the cost -- $156 million -- was settlements and judgments paid to those exonerated.

"While the BGA/CWC study revealed that almost all of the wrongful convictions were caused by multiple factors, the cause most commonly alleged was government error and misconduct by police, prosecutors, and forensic officials," the groups said in a report published on the BGA website.

... The BGA joint study included cases of murder, sexual assault, attempted murder and armed robbery where the person was exonerated after 1989 when DNA was used in Illinois. Exoneration included people acquitted after a retrial, and those who had their charges dismissed or withdrawn by prosecutors or who were given a gubernatorial pardon or court-issued certificate of innocence.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-study-wrongful-convictions-cost-taxpayers-214m-20110619,0,6408737.story

[ixion]

1. and now toss in the cost of jailing non-violent drug offenders

and you're talking some serious cash.

[shraby]

2. Don't forget the cost of jailing the ones who were

exonerated.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. And the costs of jailing the innocents who have NOT been exonerated -

because it is logically unsupportable to think that there are no more innocents in prison.

[primavera]

6. And all of the lost income and tax revenues...

... they might have generated had they been participating in the economy and paying taxes as opposed to languishing in a prison cell at taxpayer expense.

[tclambert]

4. How many innocents were executed?

Our criminal justice system is very, very good. I've seen estimates of 94-97% accuracy rate for convictions. That's an "A" grade. Those 3% to 6% wrongful convictions, though, that's tragic. At least with the falsely imprisoned you can try to make up for it by giving them money, a lot of money. That can't make up completely for years in prison. But how do you even attempt to make up for someone executed by mistake?

[Corruption Winz]

5. Corruption....

As sad as it is, I can understand wrongfully accusing someone when the evidence potentially points to the person. However, misconduct by the police, prosecutors and forensic officials. Not acceptable.

They should take the place of those wrongfully accused.