For decades, Georgia released innocent people from prison with absolutely nothing to rebuild their lives.
This year, the state finally decided each stolen year is worth $75,000.
Governor Kemp signed the Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Act into law. Someone wrongfully incarcerated for ten years could receive up to $75,000.
The Old System Almost Never Worked
Exonerated individuals had to enlist the help of a state lawmaker to essentially sponsor their case with arbitrary compensation amounts and get it passed by both houses. Only around a dozen people ever received compensation through that process.
Terry Talley walked out of prison after nearly 40 years for four violent sexual assaults he didn't commit. He now lives with his mother and works for the LaGrange Police Department's animal control office making $391 a week.
Mario Stinchcomb spent 19 years in prison for a murder he maintained he didn't commit. The Fulton County District Attorney's Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed his case and agreed new evidence warranted a new trial.
Getting the Money Still Isn't Easy
Claims must be filed with the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings where applicants often have to prove their innocence again, even after their convictions have already been overturned.
So far 46 claims have been filed under the law with only three people awarded compensation. Prosecutors have appealed at least one of those decisions.
The compensation fund itself must be funded by the Georgia legislature each year through the state budget. State officials told one attorney that if they wrote a check at that moment, it would bounce because there was no money in the account yet.
Generational Wealth From Stolen Years
Mario Stinchcomb is set to receive more than $1.4 million. He said getting this money will be generational wealth for himself, his kids, and his grandkids as he builds the foundation to make sure his family has a chance.
Michael Woolfolk was left with virtually nothing to start his life over with after being released. No money, no job or credit history, and not much family.
According to the Georgia Innocence Project, 52 Georgians have been wrongly convicted since 1989, and those are only the cases they're aware of.