Andonia Goergen
Staff Writer
Netflix’s new show “The Innocence Files” gives viewers an insight into the devastating truths of those wrongfully convicted of crimes.
“The Innocence Files” is a chilling and heartbreaking series that portrays the reality of the criminal justice system. It is a must-see watch for those wanting to learn more about the process of incarceration and hear some emotional stories of those who witnessed it first hand.
Directed and produced by Alex Gibney, Liz Garbus and Roger Ross Williams, “The Innocence Files” is Netflix’s newest true crime docuseries. The series consists of nine episodes that range from 51 to 85 minutes long.
“The Innocence Files” follows a non-profit legal organization called The Innocence Project that aims to achieve justice for people wrongly convicted of crimes. The series follows a collection of different stories and cases where people were imprisoned for a crime they did not perpetrate and did not have the resources necessary to fight for freedom.
“The Innocence Files” covers a variety of different cases, from kidnapping and murder to gang violence, and nearly each episode features a new story. The episodes include interviews from the wrongly convicted, law officials who had a role in their imprisonment and old footage taken at the time of the case. The various viewpoints of the show create a well-rounded program that allows viewers to understand that there is always more than one side to every story.
One of the most upsetting episodes features the story of Levon Brooks, a man who wrongly spent 16 years in prison because faulty forensic techniques and unreliable testimonies found him guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. The emotional scene of Brooks being found innocent tugs at the heartstrings, while at the same time showing viewers the devastating effects of wrongful incarceration on the accused.
Another story “The Innocence Files” discusses is that of Keith Allen Harward. After spending 33 years in prison and narrowly escaping death row, Harward used his experience to help others wrongfully convicted. Harward is one of the many featured in the series who persevered through his struggles, and viewers can learn a lot from his strength. Although most people will never experience something to the extent of his situation, his determination is refreshing and touching to viewers.
Because it provides such an in depth look into the background and details of these crimes, “The Innocence Files” may be triggering for some and is by no means a light-hearted watch. However, once viewers can look past the sadness the series entails, it is a very eye-opening show that covers topics that are not commonly spoken about.
It is very common to see true-crime documentaries today that focus on gruesome crimes and the monsters that commit them. But what viewers don’t often see are those who lost years of their life due to being in prison for a crime they did not commit, which is why “The Innocence Files” delivers such a unique and refreshing take on criminal docuseries. It brings the necessary awareness to those whose lives were ruined due to errors in forensic science and the justice system.
“The Innocence Files” emphasizes the importance of acknowledging when the criminal justice system fails. It’s macabre stories spark a plethora of emotions in viewers and leave people wanting to do more to help the wrongly accused.
Released on April 15, “The Innocence Files” is available for streaming on Netflix.
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