False accusations destroy lives. The stories that are shared here are from the perspective of the prisoner. They are all actual stories, some were overturned but most were not, but in each story, families were destroyed.
While adults can understand what’s going on, children typically can not. They are left asking why. They are left feeling abandoned, especially when contact is not allowed. Many become wards of the state, further damaging their self esteem and sense of security. They become depressed as they lose that anchor they held on to their entire lives. As they grow older, many turn to drugs and alcohol. This only encourages illegal behavior.
These lives are destroyed because prosecution is focused more on conviction rates than true justice. In an overwhelming number of cases, the defendant is scared into accepting an unjust plea deal. They do this by inflating the charges to a point where the accused sees no way out. They are almost forced to take a deal or risk going bankrupt and spending an unwarranted amount of time in prison.
In many of the cases shown here, it is an ex-lover or someone selfishly motivated that makes the accusation. In sex related cases, there is usually little to no real evidence other than what each party says. It is easy to twist words and to provide just enough evidence to make the person appear guilty, even when they are not. The real crime rests with the person who lied.Â
Sadly, many times, there is no way to prove things one way or another. If these cases actually went to trial, without the fear mongering involved, truths may be revealed.
Society is moved by stories, not facts. There is a sad manipulation of the courts that is happening. Many times, facts are almost nonexistent, save for the stories told. Sex crimes are typically between two people. Whoever makes the accusation and tells the most believable story walks away the victor, while the other person’s life is ruined.
This is not to say that all convicts are innocent most deserve their punishment, but there is a surprising number of people incarcerated simply because someone told a convincing story..Â
It is these cases where the justice system can do better. There is no reason why a father and daughter should be so violently ripped apart because of a jealous ex wife. It is baffling how the courts can split a family apart because of an accusation. It is not right for a son to have to beg to see his father, or for a child to be put in a foster home on little more than the word of a stranger.
As a society, we need to hold those in authority more accountable. Instead of plea deals and conviction rates, we have to have a new metric, one that protects the innocent and punishes those who manipulate the system for their own gain. Until this is done, we will continue to have a lopsided system that does not represent true justice.