ABSTRACT TO LIFE AFTER EXONERATION STAGES:

ABSTRACT TO LIFE AFTER EXONERATION STAGES: All exonerees find themselves navigating a new world when they are first released. The world has changed in many respects in the years since they were last free citizens. Upon release, many experience a flood of emotions, question their role in the world, and desire to find a place in it. Their deep-rooted experiences from their wrongful incarceration and their subsequent exoneration take them through a series of four stages involving emotional, physical, cultural, and societal difficulties. Each exoneree moves through each stage at his/her own pace, but it is recognized that it often takes two years or longer for an exoneree to reach the fourth stage. By this time, s/he has accepted his reality, let go of resentments, hostilities and entitlements, and has made great strides in assuming responsibility for his/her life and has moved forward in achieving identified goals for him/herself. All stages are similar to the Grief and Loss cycle or Stages of Change in that the exoneree can slip back in the previous stages. These stages are fluid and are not necessarily moved through in any order. Brief summaries of the Four Stages to Life After Exoneration: Stage One (The Celebrity Phase) This stage involves the buzz around the exoneration and release and it can bring about a feeling of celebrity to a newly exonerated individual. It often is related to intense media, family and community attention. But soon, the media disappears, family goes back to work and the community focus dissipates. This attention they receive may make them feel good and worthy, but it also may bring about feelings of hostility and concerns of privacy. Some welcome the new attention, while others desire only privacy and quiet. Some may be excited to share their story right away, while others have no idea where to begin and are not emotionally ready to do so. Most in the stage are not able to articulate what they are truly feeling. They are overwhelmed with many emotions and have difficulty making decisions. The Celebrity identity, unfortunately, deflects attention from the exoneree s deep-rooted emotional experiences. Stage Two (The Process Phase) The exoneree begins to process all that has taken place involving his/her exoneration. They begin to grieve their losses (i.e. a life they dreamt of having, friends in prison, the life they d recently known while incarcerated) and may feel emotions such as denial, anger and/or depression. Many experience depression because they have very little material things, money, family/personal relationships, a home, a job, employable skills, education all things they feel they are entitled to have. They may begin to grieve the loss of the friends they ve made in prison or the routine they ve known for so long. They experience denial around their actual release/exoneration. Many fear that the police will show up at their doorstep to re-arrest them. They begin to acknowledge and work through their pain. The exoneree in this stage recognized that s/he now must assume new responsibilities that s/he hasn t had to take on while incarcerated (i.e. maintaining a household, supporting himself/family, honing skills, obtaining employment, paying bills, etc ) and adjust to a new environment. The exoneree begins to identify people whom s/he can trust and begins to desire romantic relationships. They begin to identify needs and goals. They often need assistance in the form of support or counseling to identify achievable goals within appropriate time frames and to appropriately deal with the natural flood of emotions. Stage Three (Life on Life s Terms) The exoneree has begun to accept his/her situation and circumstances and has begun to move forward in the healing process. S/He has begun to adjust to his environment and has implemented efforts to achieve his goals. S/He has now gained an understanding of his emotions and has begun to develop appropriate coping skills. The exoneree has also begun to navigate systems and develop more independence. The exoneree may be seeking employment or better employment and may be seeking more independent housing. They also begin to develop healthy relationships. If they are not engaging in therapeutic interventions, they may not be able to move forward in accepting their reality. Stage Four (Finding a Niche) The exoneree in this stage is much more comfortable and accepts his/her life for what it is. S/He accepts responsibility for his emotions and is goal-oriented. The exoneree now recognizes unhealthy coping skills and works diligently to stay positive. S/He also recognizes that the past can t be changed, but that s/he holds the cards for how his/her future turns out. Now that the exoneree has a greater self-awareness, s/he is much more capable of managing healthy relationships with others. S/He has assumed all responsibility for him/herself, and perhaps others. The strong sense of entitlement has disappeared and s/he has let go of resentments that were preventing him/her from moving forward in his/her life. The Abstract was written by former Eastern Region Case Services Coordinator, Rhonda Martini. We thank Rhonda deeply for her service with the Life After Exoneration Program. 2007 Heather Weigand & Tuere Anderson Life After Exoneration Program p.1

Stage One The Celebrity Phase 0-6 months Celebrity Phase due to heightened media attention upon, and shortly after, release. Exonerees are not in the best position to share their stories due to symptoms of PTSD and the overwhelming experience of transitioning from incarceration to freedom Case Management need: Specialized re-entry plan that includes intensive case management (*see Case Management Provision Model handout) Healthy coping skills are underutilized and sometimes lost during the prison experience, thereby contributing to maladapative relationship re/building and potential isolation from support systems Resentment and entitlement issues are prevalent which further complicates relationship building Need for formal therapy is great, but many exonerees at this stage refuse for fear of being pathologized, confined, etc. Imperative for CM to candidly address entitlement and other barriers to relationship building Case Management need: Frequent 1:1 counseling with CM utilizing psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques Life Impact survey (2003) shows that 30% of exonerees surveyed lost custody of their children and 39% separated or divorced while in prison Exonerees put an emphasis on slow reconnection with their families in a quiet, intimate way Families and exonerees may be wary of how to best interact with each other Case Management need: Create a safe, nurturing space for healthy family reunification Exoneree often feels disconnected and out-of-touch Society and social norms may have changed from the time of incarceration to date of release (i.e. African American vs. Black, how to use the internet, etc.) Case Management need: Orient exonerees to community resources including providing technical support with computers, cell phones, etc. Life Impact survey statistics: o 46% dependent upon others for support o 54% without health insurance o 43% earning less than before incarceration o 30% remain unemployed Most exonerees exit prison at or below the Federal poverty level Compensation takes time and often involves more legal costs Availability of public entitlement benefits depends upon state criteria and if exoneree s record is expunged o Approximately 5% are on disability, SSI or other government assistance Exonerees can face many barriers to employment including: entitlement issues, mental health symptoms of wrongful imprisonment (inc. PTSD), a lack of education, a lack of or outdated skills, criminal record that still carries a felony conviction Case Management need: Assistance with employment, education, and/or public entitlement benefits 2007 Heather Weigand & Tuere Anderson Life After Exoneration Program p.2

Stage Two The Process Stage 6 month to 1 year Process Stage because exonerees are directly processing their experiences and feelings since being released from prison Level of functioning at this stage is a good predictor of future progress and ability to assimilate, therefore it is imperative to have intensive CM support during Stage 1 Case Management need: Goal-oriented case management Less time for introspection due to increased responsibilities, personal interactions and time spent on activities of daily living (i.e. grocery shopping, house cleaning, etc.) World moves faster and is more unpredictable than in prison, in addition to an increase in psychosocial stressors Exonerees are at high risk for utilizing unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or substance use Case Management need: Provide high levels of support, counseling and opportunities to positively channel stress Relationships with family members are rekindled, although they continue to change/grow Visiting arrangements or permanent custody of minor children has been established Children often exhibit behaviors congruent with those of children whose parents have been incarcerated: o poor school performance o acting out o inability to control anger o apathy o disconnection with family members Some family members may come out of the woodwork if the exoneree is expected to be compensated a large sum of money Case Management need: Focus is on behavioral relationships between child(ren) & exoneree. Good time to arrange for family mediation, child(ren/ family therapy & parenting classes Exoneree has created neighborhood patterns and is getting to know local vendors & community members Local support system is mostly established & exoneree is beginning to feel a part of the community Exception to positive community reintegration is the negative legal battle experienced before, during and after wrongful conviction Case Management need: Assist in nurturing feelings of safety for exoneree in chosen community and potentially facilitate relocation Exonerees are engaged in some type of work, attending school, enrolled in vocational training and/or established foundation/organization to address criminal justice reform Most exonerees have a clear focus for future vocational pursuits and are progressing Some experience barriers to employment: o Alcohol/substance abuse o Entitlement issues o Un/under-skilled o Illiteracy o Criminal record not expunged Case Management need: Assist in dismantling employment barriers & provide support in order to maintain employment, ensure success in school, &/or completing training program 2007 Heather Weigand & Tuere Anderson Life After Exoneration Program p.3

Stage Three Life on Life s Terms 1 year to 18 months Life on Life s Terms because exonerees are more in the flow of their lives including adapting to various responsibilities and establishing autonomy Exoneree has begun to put down roots and navigate institutions (RED FLAG cases) Relationships have begun & solidified; healthy boundaries are being set; long-term planning is a reality Case Management need: Maintenance of functioning and begin transition planning from case management services Adaptation to environment and finding social niche increases Shedding labels of convict, prisoner, inmate allows for the exoneree to find a new identity (enduring VICTIM label and issues with learned helplessness) Exonerees have processed how to accept/cope with stigma of being formerly incarcerated Important coping tool is public sharing of their stories Case Management need: Assist in arranging public speaking engagements, peer interactions& other opportunities to share their stories Most exonerees have encountered all of their family members & children Continued effort is needed to build and maintain relationships May begin transition to an authority figure role with child(ren) Planning to move to independent housing if current living situation is with family, parents, friends Case Management need: Assistance with search for independent housing/maintenance of housing. Continued support with nurturing healthy family dynamics Some exonerees have participated in TV/radio interviews, had books written about or movies/documentaries made chronicling their wrongful conviction Sense of duty is intensified to inform community about criminal justice reform and issues wrongful convictions Exception to positive community reintegration is the negative legal battle experienced before, during and after wrongful conviction Case Management need: Assist in arranging public speaking engagements, peer interactions& other opportunities to share their stories Exonerees may be compensated &/or planning civil litigation Financial and budget planning helps find and correct challenges in fiscal management Career coaching assists with long-term career goal planning Case Management need: Financial planning assistance and referral. Career coaching. 2007 Heather Weigand & Tuere Anderson Life After Exoneration Program p.4

Stage Four Finding a Niche 18 months to 2 years Finding a Niche because exonerees are transitioning out of intensive support and relying on support systems they have built, possibly including new family & children Supportive services, like LAEP, help secure the well-being of the exonerated and assist in achieving healthy, productive lives Case Management need: Focus on transitioning out of case management services Exoneree has begun to understand the unique experience of wrongful conviction and embraced coping skills to move forward Compensation or civil litigation may re-traumatize exoneree Case Management need: Psychoeducation and counseling support around possible re-traumatization Exoneree grows into the family and the family grows as well Feelings and questions about exoneree s absence from the family have been raised and addressed Exoneree and family will continue to move through emotional continuum which is non-linear: o Anger o Sadness o Confusion o Denial Case Management need: Facilitate and monitor sense of well-being and wholeness within the family. Advocate, refer and support on-going child and/or family therapy. Exoneree is well into becoming a part of the local community PTSD symptoms can still manifest (i.e. getting anxious when seeing a police car in back of them) Exoneree is involved with community members on a formal level and has reached out to support others Case Management need: Focus on leadership development, and/or facilitation of speaking engagements. Psychoeducation about PTSD symptoms & triggers Continued struggles with budget management, investments and career choices Financial burden is increased if exoneree has not be compensated Exonerees demonstrate resilience in their ability to progress, find their niche and support their families Case Management need: Financial planning assistance and referral. Career coaching 2007 Heather Weigand & Tuere Anderson Life After Exoneration Program p.5