About the Innocence Network Research Review Committee 

The Innocence Network is comprised of more than 60 organizations in the United States and other countries working to exonerate people who have been wrongfully convicted. Each organization is an independent entity, typically serving clients in a particular geographic area. The Research Review Committee was set up to provide a single review process to alleviate the burden on individual Innocence Network organizations with respect to requests to conduct research with exonerees or staff.

Specifically, this review is required for research that collects information from clients or people working for an organization in the Innocence Network. Research that uses secondary data sources, such as data from the National Registry of Exonerations, does not need to undergo this review process. 

 

By undergoing this review, the researcher can benefit from the insights of those who are part of or have worked with people who have been wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, the review is meant to address the 1) potential risks or burden on study participants, and 2) the potential benefit of the research. The suggestions offered may facilitate outreach and participation and reduce potential confusion and inadvertent misunderstandings. 

 

Organizations in the Innocence Network have agreed that they will not participate in research projects that have not been reviewed by the Innocence Network Research Review Committee. It is important to note, however, that approval by the Committee does not confer an agreement to provide contact information for exonerees. Once a study has been approved, the decision of whether or how to provide information about the study to clients is made by each individual organization. 

 

We request that any approved research include a statement in participant recruitment and consent materials indicating that the research proposal was reviewed and approved by the Innocence Network Research Review Committee