More than 600 years. That’s how long, collectively, 33 innocent men spent in prison for crimes they didn't commit – until MAIP helped restore their freedom. Focused on cases in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, MAIP rigorously screens and investigates innocence claims from prisoners and their families. It then represents prisoners in court or files clemency petitions (pro bono, of course) – achieving one of the highest success rates of any innocence organization in the country: nine victories in the past two years alone. This work secures justice for the wrongly-imprisoned and serves the public by revealing that the real perpetrators of a crime are still at large. MAIP also leads a policy reform effort whose improved legislation can prevent wrongful convictions before they happen. Returning innocent citizens to their rightful lives is, simply, the right thing to do.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; VA-Statewide

Age Groups Served: Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic; Native American


  • Number of exonerations:  
    MAIP has secured the exonerations of 19 innocent men spent a total of more than 303 years in prison for crimes they did not commi
  • Number of requests for help:  
    MAIP is currently representing 12 individuals, investigating 38 cases, and has 612 other cases in various stages of our rigorous intake and screening process; more requests come in each week, totaling approximately 500 new inquiries each year.
  • Resolving Errors of the FBI Crime Lab in DC:  
    At the invitation of the US Attorney's Office, MAIP reviewed more than 80 DC cases involving faulty hair and fiber analysis by the FBI crime laboratory. We are working with PDS to develop a joint report on the results.

Awards & Recognition

n/a

Press

Budget (FY2014)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • The current budget for Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project is: Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

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