Watch After Innocence

After Innocence is a thought-provoking documentary directed by Jessica Sanders, which was released in 2005. The film exposes the appalling consequences of wrongful convictions and the difficulties of readjusting to society after spending years or even decades in prison for a crime they did not commit. It features the stories of several men who were exonerated by DNA evidence years after their imprisonment and showcases their struggles to rebuild their lives and self-esteem.

The film is structured around interviews and archival footage of the exonerated, their families, lawyers, and advocates, as well as legal scholars and policymakers who advocate for justice and compensation for wrongly convicted individuals. Each of the exonerated men's stories is presented in detail, highlighting the many tragedies they experienced during their wrongful conviction, prison time, and eventual exoneration. Some of these men describe their isolation behind bars, their toil and labor in prison factories, and the difficulty of maintaining relationships with loved ones on the outside. Others talk about the way they clashed with those they encountered in prison, such as gangs, violent criminals, and corrupt officials who taunted, robbed, and extorted them.

As the film progresses, the men discuss the process of being exonerated and the difficulties that arise after their release from prison. Many exonerated individuals experience feelings of sadness, alienation, and hopelessness after being released from prison, and miss their old lives and routines, despite the hardships they endured. The film contextualizes these feelings by examining the many challenges and barriers exonerated individuals face in rebuilding their lives. Some of these include securing employment, reuniting with relatives, affording housing, accessing healthcare, and obtaining financial restitution from the state.

In addition to investigating the plight of the exonerated individuals themselves, the documentary also explores the larger legal and societal issues surrounding wrongful convictions, DNA evidence, and criminal justice reform. The film interviews legal experts like Barry Scheck, the co-founder of The Innocence Project, which has exonerated many men around the United States through the use of DNA testing. It also discusses the philosophical implications of wrongful convictions, such as the idea that the criminal justice system is inherently flawed and that individuals should not be subject to capital punishment without irrefutable evidence of their guilt.

Overall, After Innocence provides a devastating and emotional portrait of the terrible consequences of wrongful convictions. By showcasing the many men who were exonerated through the use of DNA testing, the film raises important questions about the ways in which society treats its less fortunate members, and how the state has failed to live up to its obligations to protect the innocent from arbitrary punishment. The documentary ultimately leaves the viewer feeling morally outraged at the injustice experienced by the exonerated and hopeful that society can work to address these issues and provide the necessary support to those released from wrongful imprisonment.

After Innocence is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 74.