After Innocence Review

Was there a specific scene that got to you? Describe and explain how it moved you (Angry?

Curious? Delighted? Motivated?).

Give

a lot of detailWas there a specific scene that got to you? Describe and explain how it moved you (Angry?

Curious? Delighted? Motivated?).

Give

a lot of detail

, and really dive in to explain how it a

ff

ected

What specific scene moved you? Describe and explain how it moved you (angry, curious, curious, delighted, motivated) give a lot of detail and dive into how it effected you.

Although this documentary made me feel every feeling in the book, there was one scene that stood out to me the most. One was when former inmate, Nick, was reflecting upon the day of his sentencing. He talked about how looked the judged that sentenced him and alluded to the fact that he knew he was innocent. The judge refused to meet his eye (probably because he had a feeling he was innocent), and Nick told him to go to hell. This just hit me because I'm under the impression that the judge was aware of his innocence and had the nerve to send him away to death row. I don't understand how a judge could have significant doubts and still be able to ruin the rest of a mans life. This infuriated me because this highlights so may issues in the justice system and there has been little done to change it. I think this shows the effect that laziness has on a person. Who knows, maybe that judge just missed lunch that day and was tired and wanted to go home instead of listening to more evidence. This scene really irritated me and I think it's insane how this happens to so many people, most who don't get justice. 

What surprised you?

Overall, After Innocence completely blew my mind. This shows that even 12 years ago, the justice system is whacked. I struggle to grasp how most of these men aren't bitter once they are freed. Many were incarcerated for over 10-15 years and were able to forgive and not have hard feelings when they got out. It surprised me how the outsiders/people of the community were quick to give the cold shoulder instead of being grateful that they had a member back. Many didn't try to understand and that really caught me off guard. Another thing that surprised me was how many of the families of the wrongfully jailed stayed together, supported, and were so welcoming when they come back home. Having experience in the south side of Chicago, I know that normally families are torn apart when something significant like this happens. One last thing that took me off guard, was how many letters the company advocating for the wrongfully convicted received. The fact that they had thousands of letters and calls of those who needed help for being put away for crimes they didn't commit was astonishing to me. 

What questions still remain after watching? What feelings stayed with you after the film? Did they "pop up" in your life in unexpected ways? When? How? What was it like?

Since this film was made in 2005, I have a lot of questions about how the men in this film are today. Has there been any prevail to the things they were preaching for? Have their communities accepted them again and furthermore, have they taken the time to listen and understand what they have gone through? The feeling of confusion stayed with me, mostly because of the judges and prosecutors. Obviously, the prosecutors were just doing their jobs but it had been said that they had a hunch those being convicted were innocent and for them to still send them away just amazes me in the worst way. This popped up in my daily life because the men in the film were walking around like normal people even though they had one heck of a background and it made me think of how every person I walk past has a whole life walking with them. 

What problematic concepts do you see in the film, concepts you might research and write about? Try to come up with at least 5.

Is/was there any repercussions for the judges or prosecutors who wrongfully convicted innocent people?

Of those featured in the documentary, what are they up to today? Did anything they were advocating for get nourished?

If the person who is actually guilty have to serve the same sentence or is it intensified due to the fact that they had been free for so long? Does the sentence the innocent person serve count toward the sentence?

One the men have been freed, does the initial investigation start up again? If yes, what kind of toll does this take on all the families and people involved?

you. Don’t hold back

, and really dive in to explain how it a

ff

ected

you. Don’t hold back