Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice Ohio Innocence Project

The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice/Ohio Innocence Project works for positive social and legal change in the tri-state, the state of Ohio, and beyond. Founded in the aftermath of the racial strife and civil unrest that shook Cincinnati to its core in April 2001, the RIJ/OIP seeks to make a difference-in the lives of wrongly convicted criminals, in government rulings, or in the community. Comprised of three areas, the RIJ/OIP focuses on research project and reports, the Ohio Innocence Project, and the Speakers Series. Participants engage in public policy research, working with UC law professors on issues that affect law and justice-from racism to race relations, from the environment to economics. They also work as "freedom fighters," working on real criminal cases to free the wrongly convicted. UC Law's program has freed three wrongly convicted persons to date. The Speakers Series provides an opportunity to engage the public, politicians, and others on issues affecting urban justice.