Students To Explore Wrongful Convictions

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 12, 2006 -
For immediate release
12th October 2006

The first national training programme for Universities’ Innocence Projects starts today (October 12) at Cardiff University opened by Mike O’Brien of the “Cardiff Newsagent Three”.

A well known victim of miscarriage of justice, Mike O’Brien will appear on BBC Newsnight this evening to give an update on his compensation claim with South Wales Police, and announced yesterday that he had settled this compensation claim for £300,000.

Over 160 students and representatives from 10 universities across the UK with attend the training event to learn about the key stages involved in a wrongful conviction to prepare them for investigating cases of prisoners maintaining innocence as part of a University Innocence Project.

The event, organised by Bristol University and Cardiff Law School in conjunction with Innocence Network UK, will see talks from the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the Forensic Institute, the Crown Prosecution Service and renowned academics on miscarriages of justice.

Innocence Projects are becoming an increasingly popular way for students to experience law in action and explore the complexities of the criminal appeal system. As such they have been welcomed by criminal lawyers groups and campaigning groups in the miscarriages of justice community. Students, typically of law, journalism or sociology degrees, work with lawyers to try to achieve a case referral back to the Court of Appeal, via the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

A relatively new concept in the UK, Australia has a well established Innocence Network and in the USA almost every state has a University Innocence Project. The first UK innocence project was created by Dr Michael Naughton, founder and co-ordinator of Innocence Network UK, at the University of Bristol in January 2005. Cardiff Law School followed suit and there are now up to ten other University Innocence Projects already in the pipeline.

A new drama series planned for the BBC this autumn, “The Innocence Project”, is expected to increase interest in the UK Universities’ innocence movement.

The event is being hosted at Cardiff Law School, Museum Avenue October 12- 14.

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Notes to editors:

1. Journalists interested in interviewing Mike O’Brien or attending any part of the event should contact Georgina Thomson, Cardiff Law School 029 2087 5465.

2. Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research with its proud heritage of service and achievement. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. From its outstanding central location amidst the parks, Portland-stone buildings and tree-lined avenues that form the city’s elegant civic centre, the University’s students and staff are drawn from throughout the world, attracted by its international reputation and commitment to innovation and excellence in all areas of activity. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s leading research universities. Having gained national and international standing, Cardiff University’s vision is to be a world-class university and to achieve the associated benefits for its students, staff and all other stakeholders.

Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk



For further information:

Georgina Thomson
Public Relations Officer
Cardiff Law School
Tel: 029 2087 5465
Email: ThomsonG1@cardiff.ac.uk

Innocence Network UK Training
Julie Price
Tel: 029 2087 6 510
Email: PriceJA1@cf.ac.uk

Innocence Network UK
Michael Naughton
Tel: 0117 954 5323
Email: M.Naughton@bristol.ac.uk

For the latest news and events from Cardiff University, visit: www.cardiff.ac.uk

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