Can you put a price on 14 years of life? Examining predictors of monetary compensation for exonerees

Abstract

ABSTRACT Compensation is one of the few resources available to exonerees, as they do not qualify for many of the same re-entry services available to parolees. Past research has shown public support for exoneree compensation; however, little is known about what factors influence perceptions of exonerees receiving compensation. The current study investigated the role of the contributing factor in an exoneree’s wrongful conviction case, participant characteristics, and perceptions of an exoneree and wrongful convictions, on perceptions of monetary compensation awards. Student participants were randomly assigned to read one of three fictitious news articles that varied in terms of the factor that led to an exoneree’s wrongful conviction (i.e. false confession, eyewitness misidentification, or police misconduct), and afterwards answered a series of questions assessing perceptions of assistance, of the exoneree, and of wrongful convictions. Results indicated that contributing factor (police misconduct), participant characteristics (men), and perceptions of the exoneree (more innocent than guilty, exoneree ‘Black’ or ‘Hispanic’) and of wrongful convictions (supportive of other forms of assistance) were significant predictors of monetary compensation awards.