We work to help free innocent people from prison and transform the criminal legal system.We work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.

Core values

- **Correcting Wrongful Convictions**: The project has helped exonerate numerous individuals, many of whom are from marginalized communities, particularly Black people who are disproportionately affected by wrongful convictions[1][4].
- **Identifying Systemic Issues**: It exposes and addresses systemic vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system, such as racial bias, cognitive biases, and cross-racial identification errors[1][4].
- **Preventing Future Wrongful Convictions**: Through strategic litigation, policy reform, and education, the project works to prevent future wrongful convictions and improve the overall fairness and equity of the justice system[1][4].
- **Community Impact**: The project's work has a direct impact on communities by ensuring that the actual perpetrators of crimes are held accountable, thereby enhancing public safety. For example, additional violent crimes committed by the real perpetrators while innocent people were incarcerated are identified and addressed[1].
- **Promoting Positive Change**: By highlighting racial disparities and advocating for reforms, the Innocence Project contributes to broader discussions on racial justice and the need for a more equitable criminal justice system[4].