In Connecticut and elsewhere around the country, the criminal justice system occasionally wrongly convicts people who are later proven innocent of the crimes for which they were imprisoned. The Connecticut Innocence Project and others are finding these cases of injustice and bringing them to the courts to gain the release and exoneration of these individuals. Freedom is only the first step in the restoration of their lives. To its great credit, Connecticut has enacted a system of compensation for wrongly convicted individuals. Unfortunately, that system is slow and has no mechanism to assist individuals immediately upon their release.

The Connecticut Innocence Fund, a joint partnership of the Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Fellows and Community Partners in Action, Inc. (CPA), was established to assist newly released exonerees with their immediate financial needs. Individuals released from prison after proof of their innocence may file a claim for compensation from the State Claims Commissioner. The Connecticut Innocence Fund invites them to apply for advances to meet their immediate financial needs as they seek to reestablish themselves in society and find jobs. The exonerees pledge repayment of the advances from any money they receive in State compensation or other settlement of claims related to wrongful conviction and incarceration.

The James W. Cooper Fellows established the tax-deductible Fund and raises money to support it. The Connecticut Bar Foundation invests the monies raised. CPA handles disbursement of funds to exonerees, based on instructions from an Advisory Committee. CPA aids newly released inmates in living honorably and reestablishing their lives.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Connecticut Innocence Fund, please send your check to the Connecticut Bar Foundation, 31 Pratt Street, Suite 420, Hartford, CT 06103. Checks should be made payable to “The Connecticut Innocence Fund” or click on the DONATE NOW button on this website.