A man in the US has been awarded $1 million after spending 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Michael Sullivan’s journey through the American justice system is a poignant reminder of the fallibility of legal institutions. After spending more than 27 years in a Massachusetts prison for a murder he consistently denied, Sullivan has received $1 million in compensation following new DNA evidence that exonerated him.

Convicted in 1985 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, Sullivan’s life was irrevocably altered by a wrongful conviction. His release in 2013 came as a result of significant advancements in DNA technology, which ultimately led to the overturning of his conviction. This development not only restored his freedom but also highlighted the necessity for ongoing reassessment of past convictions based on emerging scientific evidence.

Earlier this month, a Massachusetts court recognized Sullivan’s suffering by awarding him $13 million in damages. However, due to state regulations that cap compensation for wrongful convictions at $1 million, he faces limitations on the reparations he can receive. This cap raises critical questions about the adequacy of financial restitution for individuals wrongfully imprisoned.

Throughout his decades of incarceration, Sullivan endured profound personal tragedies, including the deaths of his mother and four siblings. In light of this, he poignantly stated that while the compensation is welcomed, it “will never make up for the years stolen from me, or the loved ones I lost while I was in prison.” His experience serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of judicial errors and the need for continued reform within the justice system to prevent such injustices in the future.