​Our Story

​The Alaska Innocence Project (AKIP) is an Alaska-based non-profit organization that provides legal, educational, and charitable services to identify and exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in the state of Alaska, and to provide educational opportunities that foster a culture that champions the defense of the innocent.

Prior to its formation, individuals wrongfully convicted in Alaska could turn to the dedicated staff of the Innocence Project Northwest Clinic, now the Washington Innocence Project, at the University of Washington School of Law for assistance; however, workload forced that project to turn down requests from inmates in Alaska. To fill this need, a dedicated group of criminal attorneys, investigators, and concerned individuals banded together to form the Alaska Innocence Project.
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The AKIP is currently staffed by an Executive Director, Legal Director, Executive Assistant, and overseen by a volunteer board of directors. Through the work of our dedicated staff, board, volunteers and pro bono partners, along with the generous support of our donors, the Alaska Innocence Project exonerated and secured the freedom of the Fairbanks Four in 2015: George Freese, Kevin Pease, Marvin Roberts, and Eugene Vent—who collectively served over 72 years wrongfully incarcerated for crimes they did not commit.