A new study from the Omega Law Group sheds light on wrongful convictions across the United States, ranking Connecticut eighth among states for exonerations between 2020 and 2024. The study, which drew on data from The National Registry of Exonerations, analyzed wrongful convictions scaled per 100,000 residents, offering a snapshot of both progress and persistent challenges within the justice system.
Connecticut recorded an average of 3.87 exonerations per 100,000 residents during the study period. On average, individuals in the state spent 25 years wrongfully imprisoned— the fourth-longest duration nationally. These figures underscore the enduring impact of miscarriages of justice and the substantial time required to overturn wrongful convictions.
Nationally, Illinois led the rankings with a staggering 18.41 exonerations per 100,000 residents, representing 231 exonerations over five years. This total dwarfed that of Michigan, the second-ranked state, which reported 5.98 exonerations per 100,000. Despite Illinois’s progress, the state’s average wrongful incarceration period—18 years—underscored the harrowing consequences for those affected.
Louisiana followed Michigan, with 5.68 exonerations per 100,000 residents and an average incarceration period of 24 years. Delaware ranked fourth with 4.85 wrongful convictions per 100,000 residents, though individuals in the state spent an average of just five years wrongfully imprisoned—the shortest duration among the top-ranking states.
Connecticut’s position reflects both a commitment to addressing past injustices and the scale of the challenge ahead. Miscarriages of justice often result from systemic issues, including inadequate defense representation, racial bias, and flawed forensic practices. The Omega Law Group study noted that exonerations represent not just moments of justice but also opportunities to address these underlying problems.
The findings point to uneven progress across the United States. While states like Connecticut have made strides in addressing wrongful convictions, others lag significantly behind. South Carolina reported just one exoneration over the study period, with a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the country. Kentucky, Arizona, and Colorado followed closely, each with fewer than 0.35 exonerations per 100,000 residents.
Even among states with fewer exonerations, the human cost remains severe. Alabama ranked fifth-lowest for exonerations per capita but recorded an average incarceration period of 29 years— highlighting the compounding injustices faced by individuals caught in the system.
A spokesperson for the Omega Law Group emphasized the dual nature of exonerations as both a marker of progress and a call for further reform. “This study highlights a somewhat positive shift as many states are taking meaningful steps to right the wrongs of past convictions through exonerations. However, without continued investment in reform, too many wrongful convictions risk going unnoticed,” they said.
The spokesperson also stressed the role of advocacy organizations, including innocence projects and nonprofit groups, in driving progress. “Exonerations not only provide justice to individuals who have been wrongfully imprisoned for years—sometimes decades—but they also underscore the need for broader structural changes,” they added.
For Connecticut, the challenge now lies in building on this momentum. Advocates and policymakers must grapple with how to prevent future wrongful convictions while ensuring that those already affected receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. As the Omega Law Group’s findings suggest, progress requires not only addressing individual cases but also tackling the systemic factors that contribute to these injustices in the first place.
