| In the wake of wrongful conviction scandals throughout the common law world, the institutions of criminal justice (the courts, the police, prosecution services and the defence bar) increasingly are being held to account. However, these institutions change slowly and very reluctantly. It remains extremely difficult to reopen a conviction post appeal for example, in all jurisdictions where no independent review process exists. Even in the United Kingdom, where a review process has been implemented, delays and difficulties remain. Of equal importance, in review of the goal of reducing the incidence of wrongful conviction, investigative and prosecutorial agencies remain highly resistant to reform. The institutional factors that lead to the conviction of the innocent in the first place appear to serve interests of sufficient importance that absent very substantial pressure, changes occur in few ways if at all. |
Updated 05/20/2006