Note:
This awardee has received supplemental funding. This award detail page includes information about both the original award and supplemental awards.
Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $498,877)
The purpose of the Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program (URLPWC) is to protect the unwavering integrity of the criminal justice system and the consistent application of due process for all. The URLPWC Program supports efforts by both conviction integrity or review units and entities that represent individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence to review individual cases of post-conviction and appeals claims of innocence. Where possible, the program seeks to identify and apprehend actual perpetrators of crimes who eluded prosecution and bring justice to victim(s), thereby enhancing public safety and security. This program is funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-141, 132 Stat. 348, 420).
The objectives of this national training and technical assistance initiative are to develop and enhance strong partnerships between units and entities funded under the URLPWC Program; develop and implement a wrongful conviction risk assessment process; review cases of high risk; support quality post-conviction and appeals legal representation in the identified cases; document the efficacy of entities in seeking to overturn challenged convictions, and document the efficacy of entities in identifying appropriate suspects when convictions are overturned.
The Quattrone Center at the University of Pennsylvania's Law School will act as the training and technical assistance provider to conviction review units throughout the country, utilizing its analytic expertise, past experience advising conviction review units, and network of relationships with innocence advocates to foster the growth and effective functioning of conviction review units nationwide.
CA/NCF