Casting light on the unseen victims: A comprehensive review of the ramifications of wrongful convictions and exonerations on families

Abstract

Wrongful convictions, while recognized for their direct consequences on the convicted individuals, also inflict significant harm on their families. Through a systematic literature review, this article examines the psychological and emotional consequences for families, the social and financial burdens they endure, coping mechanisms, and the impact on specific family members, including children and spouses. It reveals a distressing landscape of shared trauma, strained relationships, and stigmatization, exacerbated by financial hardship and systemic failures in the judicial process. The article underscores the critical gaps in the literature, particularly the lack of focus on the parents of the wrongfully convicted and the need for comprehensive reforms to address the wide-reaching effects of wrongful convictions. It calls for future research to explore the long-term psychological impacts, the role of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and family dynamics, aiming to inform policies and interventions that can mitigate these consequences.