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What happens when the justice system refuses to correct its mistakes? Edward Harrison's story is a chilling reminder of how difficult it is to overturn a wrongful conviction, even with compelling evidence of innocence.

Harrison describes being accused of raping a woman while he was already incarcerated for a parole violation – a physical impossibility that should have invalidated the case immediately. The complainant, described as a schizophrenic woman with addiction issues, later admitted to fabricating the allegation because she feared losing her bed at a treatment facility. Despite this recantation and numerous procedural violations – including detective-written statements, mismatched physical descriptions, and improperly handled evidence – Harrison was pressured into going to trial for a sexual misconduct he did not commit.

The consequences have been devastating. Harrison must register as a sex offender, undergo regular polygraph tests, and faces significant barriers to employment despite his qualifications. For over two years, Staten Island's Conviction Investigation Unit has possessed all evidence proving his innocence but continues to stall with claims they're "still reviewing" materials. Since its formation in 2019, this unit has overturned only one conviction, compared to hundreds reviewed by similar units in other NYC boroughs.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on Staten Island's notoriously conservative justice system, where judges, lawyers, and police officers live and work together, creating an environment resistant to acknowledging mistakes. Harrison's fight for vindication highlights how wrongful convictions disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities and the uphill battle faced by those seeking justice.

Have you witnessed similar injustices in your community? Share your thoughts and help spread awareness about the need for meaningful conviction review processes that operate with integrity and urgency.

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