"Imagine the worst day of your life. Then imagine living that day every day of your life. That's what it feels like when you are innocent in prison" - Marvin Roberts of the Fairbanks Four

Innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. It's a tragedy that can happen to anyone, but data shows that Alaska Natives from remote, rural communities have the highest chance of being wrongfully convicted. Though accounting for less than a fifth of Alaska's population, Alaska Natives make up nearly HALF of the state's prison population. Since 2006, AKIP has fought for wrongfully convicted Alaskans. In 2015, we exonerated the Fairbanks Four – George Frese, Kevin Pease, Marvin Roberts, and Eugene Vent – who collectively lost over 72 years of their lives to wrongful incarceration.

Studies show that 2-5% of the nation’s prisoners are wrongfully convicted. Two percent of the 5,000 Alaskans currently incarcerated translates to an estimated 100 wrongfully convicted Alaskans. This closely aligns with AKIP’s recent outreach in remote Alaska, finding over 140 cases that involve a questionable conviction. Alarmingly, 56% of the individuals incarcerated in these questionable cases are Alaska Natives.

Getting it wrong can have economic and even deadly consequences. The Fairbanks Four each languished in prison for 18 years. At $60,000/year to house an Alaska inmate, their incarceration cost Alaska $4.32 million dollars. As the Four missed out on bettering themselves and supporting their families and communities, the actual perpetrators caused the deaths of 6 individuals.

Currently, we are litigating two cases and investigating over ten cases that include commonly known causes of wrongful conviction. Over 75% of our financial support comes from individual Alaskans. This is where we need your help! We have a generous sponsorship that will match every dollar we raise from now through the end of April, up to $15,000! Your generosity will go directly to support AKIP’s mission to free wrongfully convicted Alaskans.

Support AKIP - Free Innocent Alaskans!

2026 Donor Match Campaign