What happens when the criminal justice system convicts an innocent person? That’s the central question posed by University of Bristol academic Michael Naughton in his new book, The Innocent and the Criminal Justice System.

In this critical sociological examination of innocence and wrongful conviction, Naughton, a Reader in Sociology and Law, examines the competing perspectives on, and definitions of, miscarriages of justice to examine questions such as what might cause a wrongful conviction and what can be done to prevent their occurrence in the future.

The Innocent and the Criminal Justice System is the first book of its kind to cover wrongful convictions, from their definition and causes to the limits of redress available. It provides a wealth of case studies and statistics to apply theoretical discussions of the criminal justice system to real-life situations and discusses ideas and challenges that are highly relevant to current political and social debates.

Reece Walters, Professor of Law at Queensland University of Technology described it as a ‘compelling, provocative and engaging book that meticulously and persuasively unearths the vagaries and uncertainties of due process and the rule of law. It critiques and redefines notions of ‘innocence’ and ‘justice’ in ways that challenge values long upheld as cornerstones of democratic society. Michael Naughton is an innovative and inspiring thinker and this book confirms his status as a leading international authority on wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.’

Professor Gerry Johnstone from the University of Hull, remarked that the book was ‘written by an author with a long record of active engagement with miscarriages of justice issues, this gives the book a level of passion and insider, practical knowledge that distinguishes it from others in the field.’

Naughton is the founder and Director of the Innocence Network UK (INUK), an umbrella organisation that has member innocence projects in some 26 UK universities, including the  University of Bristol Innocence Project (UoBIP), which he set up in 2004.

Taking their lead from similar projects in the USA, an innocence project typically sees a group of students investigating the case of a convicted person maintaining factual innocence who has exhausted the initial appeals process and available legal aid. Innocence projects work under close academic supervision and, where appropriate, with legal assistance from practising lawyers and forensic scientists on a pro bono basis. Together, INUK’s member innocence projects are investigating just over 100 cases of alleged wrongful convictions.

Naughton is also the previous author of Rethinking Miscarriages of Justice: Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg, and the editor of The Criminal Cases Review Commission: Hope for the Innocent?

The Innocent and the Criminal Justice System, A Sociological Analysis of Miscarriages of Justice by Michael Naughton is published by Palgrave Macmillan, priced at £23.99, ISBN-9780230216914