The NEIP is a member of the International Innocence Network of regional Innocence Projects. Each of these regional projects was modeled after the Innocence Project, which was founded by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld at the Cardozo School of Law in 1992. The NEIP is unique, however, in that it was the first project in the country coordinated by a law firm. The NEIP consists of attorneys from Goodwin Procter LLP, area criminal defense and other private attorneys, exonerees, and faculty and students from law schools across New England. The NEIP works in conjunction with area criminal defense attorneys, law students and faculty to couple experienced representation with a unique clinical experience for future lawyers.

NEIP attorneys and personnel screen and respond to requests for legal assistance from inmates, supervise law students as they conduct initial case review, provide direct legal representation to inmates who are seeking to vacate their convictions through the use of DNA evidence, and work to secure legal representation for inmates through the NEIP Network of attorneys.

NEIP is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.