You might go to prison, even though you're innocent

Brooks (law, California Western School of Law), a founder of the California Innocence Project, presents a compelling look at the problem of wrongful convictions through the stories of persons exonerated through his organization. These cases highlight the urgent need for reforms within the criminal justice and correctional systems. Wrongful convictions often result from unreliable eyewitness testimony, evidence mishandling, faulty crime lab reports, improper lineup and photo identification procedures, juries' overreliance on expert witness testimony, and poor quality "scientific evidence" from bite marks and arson. In addition to problems with the collection and presentation of evidence are improper interrogation techniques, use of prison snitches, inadequate training for public defenders, and prosecuting attorneys who operate outside of guidelines. Related to the problems of the criminal justice system are those of correctional facilities. Persons of color and those of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be imprisoned than members of other groups. These systems require resources for rehabilitation and improvements to prison administration. This important book spotlights the work of various Innocence Projects to seek justice for those wrongly convicted and highlights urgently needed reforms. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. --Carolyn Warren Filippelli, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith