Right to Counsel: Mental Health Approaches to Support the Exonerated

The effects of wrongful imprisonment are devastating for exonerees and their families. Yet, few services exist to support the mental health and successful social reintegration of the exonerated. This article presents an overview of the psychological sequelae of wrongful imprisonment and how social workers can best serve clients in the aftermath of exoneration. It will address existing gaps in service provision and provide clinical practice suggestions to advance the well-being of exonerees in Illinois and beyond.