This April, the Indiana Innocence Project (INIP) joined hundreds of advocates, attorneys, and exonerees in Chicago for the Innocence Network Conference. It was a weekend defined by what Indiana exoneree and national advocate Kristine Bunch described as an “inspirational, emotional, and energizing celebration” of resilience and the ongoing pursuit of justice. From groundbreaking policy discussions to deeply personal sessions on family reunification, the INIP team was at the heart of the conversation.
One highlight of the events was the panel on Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance Police Training. The session played to a full house, with Bunch serving as a featured panelist, and INIP board members Roosevelt Glenn and Fran Watson were in attendance alongside Loreen Glenn to support the discussion. The panel focused on the transformative impact of Illinois’ mandated training, which brings police officers and exonerees together. The dialogue highlighted how working collaboratively can minimize future wrongful convictions while fostering healing for both law enforcement and those clearing their names.
The conference also marked several historic “firsts” for the community, with a focus on a key Network priority of empowering exonerees’ voices. For the first time, leaders within the Exonerated and Freed Community designed a session, ‘Community In Action’, specifically focused on leadership opportunities within the Innocence Network. In a “Women’s Panel,” Krissy Bunch highlighted the unique obstacles faced by the fewer than 300 women exonerees in the U.S. The discussion centered on the specific barriers women face in rebuilding their lives and stepping into roles as community leaders.
For many, powerful moments happened in the breakout rooms. Indiana exoneree Roosevelt Glenn shared a moving account of the session titled “Conversations We’ve Never Had: Families Navigating Separation & Reconnection After Wrongful Conviction.”
Participants sat in a large, inclusive circle where both children and parents were given the space to speak their truths. Roosevelt shared his personal journey of returning home to children who had grown into adults during his absence, “As a parent, I was able to explain that I didn’t know how to be a father because I left my children at two, seven, and eight years old, and when I returned home, they were 25, 24, and 19. I told them that I needed their help, and we started by being friends—and it worked.” The session provided a powerful environment for families to express the “plight of exonerees” and find a path toward mutual understanding and healing.
The conference concluded with a wonderful send-off hosted by the Exoneration Project. It was a time to capture memories in photos, exchange contact information with new friends, and recharge for the work ahead.
As our team returns to Indiana, we carry the energy of this conference with us—reminded that while the road to justice is long, we do not walk it alone.