Dizzying. Intoxicating. Surreal. A whirlwind.

In our newest feature, 16 Innocence Project clients shared what it felt like to finally be free.

“Walking out of those prison gates was surreal. It didn’t register in my mind: Renay, you’re free.”

— Renay Lynch

“The moment they said ‘not guilty,’ I felt my knees buckle.”

— Tony Wright

“That first moment of freedom when I got to see my family and we weren’t separated by glass or bars — that was everything.”

— Alan Newton

We invite you to read these poignant reflections on what freedom means when you can’t take it for granted.

— Innocence Project