Dissertation
Compensation and wrongful conviction: an examination of public perceptions for wrongful convictions
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
16 Jun 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001663
Abstract
Wrongful convictions represent grievous errors carried out by state actors either through misconduct or structural failures within the criminal justice system. A majority of research, policy, and advocacy focuses on the legal demands of individuals who are wrongfully convicted. However, this focus excludes the aftermath of exoneration and the barriers individuals face as they adjust to the community post-release (e.g., financial, physical health, mental health). Wrongful conviction has a lasting impact on the family members and children of those who are wrongfully convicted, directly impacts the victim of the crime, and increases societal distrust in the criminal justice system. Given the deleterious effects wrongful conviction has on individuals, families, and society, it is critical to further understand citizens' perceptions of compensation, which serves as one restorative modality. This study examined the general public's perception of compensation for wrongful conviction based on race and previous criminal conviction. Participants (N = 413) consisted of United States citizens who were randomly assigned to one of four case vignettes 1) Black exoneree with no previous criminal conviction 2) Black exoneree with a previous criminal conviction 3) white exoneree with no previous criminal conviction 4) white exoneree with a previous conviction. Results revealed a significant interaction effect between race and criminal conviction on the amount of compensation awarded to exonerees. Specifically, Black exonerees with no previous criminal conviction were awarded more compensation than Black exonerees with a previous criminal conviction and compared to white exonerees with no criminal conviction. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Compensation and wrongful conviction
- Creators
- Claire Lankford
- Contributors
- David S. DeMatteo (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 52 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991020876810904721