Building Community, Honoring Resilience:
Reflections from the 2025 Innocence Network Conference
Last month, the New England Innocence Project joined hundreds of exonerees, freed people, their families, and advocates from across the country at the annual Innocence Network Conference—the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Held this year in Seattle, the conference is more than just an event; it’s a powerful reminder of the strength, joy, and healing power of community.
This unique event allows people who have endured unthinkable loss to connect, share their stories, and support each other on the long road of healing and rebuilding. This year, 11 exonerees and freed people from New England attended the conference. Collectively, they lost more than 353 years to wrongful imprisonment. There was laughter, solidarity, and a deep sense of belonging that can only happen when we can bring our community together.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this trip possible—your support of the New England Innocence Project and the Exoneree Network ensures that those most impacted by wrongful conviction are not walking this journey alone.