Georgia Innocence Project

Georgia Innocence Project is the only independent organization in Georgia focused solely on freeing innocent people from Georgia prisons and mitigating the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions. Working holistically, we investigate and litigate cases to free and exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals; we provide critical reentry and recovery support services to people freed from wrongful imprisonment; and through our education and policy reform efforts, we work to more efficiently prevent, correct, and remedy wrongful convictions system-wide. We have a big mission in a very difficult state. And with each passing year, we increase our impact.

In a criminal legal system anchored in overcriminalization and mass incarceration, speed and finality are valued over accuracy and truth. And wrongful convictions are a predictable and tragic byproduct of those intentional policy choices. In our society, when the government fails (or succeeds, depending on your perspective), it falls to nonprofit organizations like GIP to help.

During the past two years at Georgia Innocence Project, we have seen that we can accomplish remarkable things and have significant impact, even in the face of great challenges. That is due in no small part to the extremely resilient community to which we belong.

This year, we are calling on our community to raise funds to support the freedom and exoneration of two wrongfully incarcerated men who have lost a  combined 36 years and counting:

• Sonny Bharadia—Sonny has wrongfully incarcerated for a burglary and sexual assault he did not commit for over 22 years, despite DNA evidence showing it could not have been him. Hear directly from Sonny here.

• Erik Heard— Erik was convicted of a murder he did not commit based on the mistaken eyewitness identification of a deeply traumatized person and the incentivized testimony of a jailhouse informant. He has been fighting for his freedom for 14 years.

Your gift today will directly support the fight for freedom for these men, and hopefully, their return to their families and communities. Will you help us in the ongoing fight for Sonny Bharadia, Erik Heard, and thousands others?