$175k versus 1 life

[monabri]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67782907

"An Oklahoma judge has exonerated a man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, the longest known wrongful sentence in the US.
Glynn Simmons, 70, was freed in July after a district court found that crucial evidence in his case was not turned over to his defence lawyers."

Only to be faced with:

"Mr Simmons was diagnosed with stage four cancer as he was being released, says the attorney."

The BBC article ends:

"Wrongfully convicted people who serve time in Oklahoma are eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation".

[UncleEbenezer]

Aren't US prisons a whole lot harsher than European ones[1]?

$175k per year might look a bit fairer. Though more so for those - like Mr Malkinson or Mr Nealon - who still have some meaningful amount of life left to benefit from it.

[1] Yes I know that's a sweeping generalisation, and it varies by state and by prison there as here.

[88V8]

"An Oklahoma judge has exonerated a man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, the longest known wrongful sentence in the US.
Glynn Simmons, 70, was freed in July after a district court found that crucial evidence in his case was not turned over to his defence lawyers."

If I'd been wrongfully locked up that long I'd feel like killing those responsible, and being in the US perhaps he will have the means of so doing. Sometimes, money is not enough.

V8

[Lootman]

Aren't US prisons a whole lot harsher than European ones[1]?

State prisons are the worst, as they house most of the murderers, rapists, serial offendors and hardened criminals. Federal prisons have more white collar criminals and can be a lot easier, although the immigration facilities can be grim. Then there are local county jails for those awaiting trial who cannot get bail, and those serving one year or less.

It is reckoned that on average inmates age at about double the normal rate in a US prison, so surviving 45 years is quite an achievement. Knowing you are innocent would surely make it feel worse.

[UncleEbenezer]

"An Oklahoma judge has exonerated a man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, the longest known wrongful sentence in the US.
Glynn Simmons, 70, was freed in July after a district court found that crucial evidence in his case was not turned over to his defence lawyers."

If I'd been wrongfully locked up that long I'd feel like killing those responsible, and being in the US perhaps he will have the means of so doing. Sometimes, money is not enough.

V8

Those responsible 48 years ago? Time is likely to have done for those who were in senior positions back then.