The Mission
Resurrection After Exoneration's (RAE) mission is to promote and sustain a network of support among the formerly incarcerated, reconnect them to the community, and help provide access to educational opportunities and counseling.
The Problem
When I was finally exonerated due to DNA evidence and left Angola Louisiana State Penitentiary in 2003 after spending 18 years on death row, I was one of the fortunate ones: I returned to a house built by Habitat for Humanity, a job with my lawyer, and my loving, steadfast wife, Laverne.
When I first came home my first thought was how easy it was to frame someone on two different robbery and murder charges. To read more about the wrongful conviction, read the article by City Business. I decided that I needed to make a stand and make a difference. I was passionate about abolishing the death penalty, but it was frustrating for me because I wasn't qualified as an investigator or an attorney. So, I started working at a nonprofit, Center for Equal Justice, that represented guys on Death Row where I learned quickly about the world of nonprofits.
Every year, we hear about more innocent people being released from prison in the United States. Today, there are over 400 exonerated men and women who have been wrongly convicted and victimized by our criminal justice system. On average, each has served more than ten years in prison before being released. After being incarcerated for crimes they did not commit, exonerees are faced with an even tougher battle. The trauma experienced in prison stays with many exonerees for the rest of their lives. Louisiana's exonerees served an average of 18 years, and come back without a job or employment skills, a place to call home, medical assistance, legal assistance, guidance, support, education, or basic life skills. I remember during my last year in prison, my lawyers' biggest concern for me was returning--they were frightened for me to come back to Louisiana because Louisiana has the highest rate of recidivism, per capita incarceration, and prisoners serving life without parole in the whole country.
The Innovative Idea
When I came back, I joined Inside/Out, a support group set up by the Innocence Project, made up of exonerees. During our meetings, we discussed what it takes to make a successful transition from prison. These intense discussions revealed that so many of us have no help and little hope of better times. Those of us who have done all right for ourselves have something in common - we had help when we returned to society. I understood the value of the help I had, and I understood the needs of most people returning from prison.
After Katrina, our thin support networks became thinner; our families were scattered. Many have returned to prison in part because they have nowhere to live. While I was awaiting retrial, I couldn’t understand why men who were in jail with me kept returning after their release, while I was fighting so hard for mine. I realized it was a lack of opportunity for change. I am now driven by my dream of seeing us realize our potential as a voice for change in post-Katrina New Orleans, by providing help and opportunities to each other.
Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE) is a new non-profit organization formed by a group of wrongfully convicted men coming together to create a positive and enriching future. RAE focuses on exonerated prisoners but will also reach out and help formerly incarcerated men who wish to make a positive change in their lives and who tackle some of the same problems as exonerees once they are released. RAE's members have served over 247 years in Louisiana's prisons for crimes they did not commit.
The Start-Up
While we were part of Inside/Out, we became very close discussing problems we had, and we began advocating for medical and legal services. My lawyers learned about what I was trying to do, and they intervened and got people from all over the country, friends of the law firm, to send us $30-$40,000. The director of the Innocence Project got wind and then everybody at the Innocence Project got excited. They helped us get doctors and medical services for exonerees, and they assisted exonerees with getting our Innocence Compensation Act petitions. Then, my partner, Tracy Pratt, who had been involved with the Innocence Project since 2002, came on.
In 2007, we heard about the $60,000 Echoing Green fellowship, and everyone at the Innocence Project went to work. Our whole building was full of lawyers, and every person was helping me and wanted me to be fully prepared. I was mock interviewing up and down with crazy interview questions. The whole building had the one common goal of getting me the grant. Then, one of my early supporters said that she wasn't going to wait for the Echoing Green grant to allow me to do this full-time. So, she found money and started paying me through The Innocence Project of New Orleans.
Our Impact and Accomplishments
RAE Building: We have just begun renovations. We expect to have the housing available this fall. We also expect to begin training courses by October, and we are working on funding for business plans. We will be having a grand opening/ribbon cutting the third week in October.
Outreach: In October 2008 we have planned "Voices of the Innocent" performances where exonerees speak about their experiences. We expect to be doing that same performance for the students of Harvard next month.
Direct Services: We have been involved with assisting exonerees with their Innocence Compensation Act petitions. Also, we are working with Daughters of Charity to provide primary care to exonerees.
Our Current Needs
1. Funding for our primary care program for exonerees.
2. Hiring a grantwriter
3. Fundraising: capital campaign, staff salaries, grants, computers for computer lab, a/v equipment, etc.
Support and Contact
If you can help out with any of these needs or if you'd like to make a donation, please contact Tracy Pratt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .