Welcome

The Innocence Network Conference brings together directly impacted people, advocates, and others who work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful conviction, and provide post-release support. This annual conference promotes learning and growth through educational programming, relationship-building, collective action, and healing. Together, we celebrate victories, strategize around challenges, and recommit to fighting for a more just future. We value diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments and endeavor to create a safe space rooted in compassion and respect.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Power in Community.” Content and programming will explore themes of interdependence and examine the ways that injustice is experienced, fought, and repaired in community.

The conference will begin the morning of Thursday, March 21st for freed/exonerated people and their family members and will begin the morning of Friday, March 22nd for all other ticket types. The conference will end with an optional community parade and closing celebration on the evening of Saturday, March 23rd.

A detailed schedule is coming soon!

The 2024 conference will feature sessions within the following focus areas:

  • Case Intake, Evaluation, & Investigation
  • Forensic Science & Social Science
  • Post-Conviction Litigation (for New & Experienced Attorneys)
  • Post-Release/Reentry Support, Social Work, Trauma-Informed Practice
  • Community Outreach, Engagement, & Organizing
  • Organizational Development (Fundraising/Development, Leadership, Management)
  • Race and Wrongful Conviction
  • Emerging Areas (Mass Exoneration, Posthumous Exoneration, Alternative Pathways to Release, Manifest Injustice, etc.)

To access and review materials provided by conference breakout session organizers, please click here.

The creation of Community Guidelines for the Innocence Network Conference was a recommendation of the Conference Strategic Planning Working Group. The purpose of the Community Guidelines is to ensure that all members of our community feel safe, welcomed, and supported at the Innocence Network Conference. By registering for the conference, all attendees agree to follow these guidelines.

  • Treat all conference attendees and venue staff with respect and consideration, valuing diverse views and opinions.
  • Operate with curiosity and generosity, avoiding assumptions and generalizations. Listen for understanding, not just to respond.
  • Work together to foster a safe space free of harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Honor your needs and know your limits. Care for yourself and the community by taking a break, getting some air, and seeking support when needed. Consider connecting with a Conference Ambassador.
  • Respect privacy and confidentiality. Don’t speak on behalf of others without their permission and don’t share something communicated in a private or safe space.

A limited number of members of the media may be granted permission to attend the conference. Please contact Network Support Unit Director Meredith Kennedy with any media requests and to discuss the conference media policy.

While proof of vaccination is not required to attend the 2024 Innocence Network Conference, we appreciate your commitment to the health and safety of our community. All attendees are encouraged to test for COVID-19 in advance of traveling to the conference, and are respectfully asked not to attend if they test positive or are feeling ill. Masking will not be required but is encouraged in conference areas. Both rapid tests and masks will be available to attendees onsite. The Network Support Unit will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes or updates as necessary. Please reach out to Meredith Kennedy or Cait Murray if you have any questions.

Walk-in registration will not be permitted under any circumstances this year. All conference attendees must register in advance online no later than Sunday, March 17th.

Conference Venue Precautions

The New Orleans Marriott has routine cleaning procedures and offers hand sanitizer stations throughout the hotel.

Social Distancing

All attendees, exhibitors, and speakers can indicate their preference for social distancing once they arrive on site in New Orleans using a color-coded wristband system (see below). This system will allow everyone to indicate their comfort around contact with others.

Color coded wrist band system. Red: Respect my space. Yellow: Elbow bumps okay. Green: Handshakes okay - ask first.

Illness & Cancellation Policy

Individuals who experience any of the following symptoms within 5 days of the start of the conference should not attend: 

  • Fever, cough, or shortness of breath 
  • Exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 
  • A COVID-19 diagnosis that has not yet been cleared as non-contagious by public health authorities 

In any of these cases, a full refund will be issued up to the day the conference begins (March 22, 2024). If you must cancel your conference registration for a reason other than illness, a full refund will be given as long as the request is made within 10 days before the start of the conference (by March 12, 2024).

Please be aware that the hotel cancellation policy is different. Please see the Hotel & Travel page for more details.

Exhibitors

If you are interested in purchasing or reserving an exhibitor table at the conference, please contact Becca Freeman.

Sponsors

If you are interested in sponsoring or underwriting aspects of the conference, please contact Meredith Kennedy.


Thank you to our sponsors!