Wrongly Convicted Texas Inmates Get Paid
Texas, which leads the nation in freeing inmates wrongly convicted for crimes, has instituted a new law to turn their misfortune into fortunes. Under the plan, emancipated prisoners will get $80,000 for each year they were incarcerated. In addition, they will receive lifetime annuity payment worth between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. By far, it is the most lucrative compensation package for inmates, according to The Associated Press. Thomas McGowan – who described the 23 years he spent behind bars on a bogus rape-robbery conviction a combination of “a nightmare,” “hell” and “slavery – said he is both nervous and excited. “It’s something I never had, this amount of money,” he told AP. “I didn’t have any money — period.” McGowan and others will also receive a variety of social services, such as job training, tuition credits and access to medical and dental treatment, AP reports.
Read full story
Read more:
Start a Conversation
Who's Here
Photo Gallery
Whittiker gets chieftaincy title after DNA reveals his Igbo identity
Black and Jewish, a synagogue gains acceptance
A City Boy Who Loves Horses Goes Galloping Toward His Goals
One of Motown’s Favorite Sons
Science Channel inks Morgan Freeman for series
Black news is updated every five minutes. Join our community and get the latest on Barack Obama, politics, business, health, entertainment, world news as it is uncovered.
