Innocent Behind Bars | Our America With Lisa Ling | Full Episode | OWN

[@lindacoleman2014]

My son was a toddler when his father was sentenced to Life for a crime he did not do. He grew up and found the evidence that was never presented in court that would have exonerated his father. He recently wrote about his journey in the book "Fatherless Son" by Rashod Coleman, I just dont know how people sleep at night knowing they sent an innocent person to prison. I wish them all the best. My husband is adjusting to life on the outside, he rarely speaks of the 27 plus years taken from him.

[@barbaratreadway4052]

My son was murdered in jail for a crime he didn't do he left 4 babies behind. This is sick that we go against our Father GOD. God says don't judge. Because this is what happens. Evidence beyond the shadow of the doubt. Should be why they are judged and sentenced. Nothing less . This is sick. Imagine sitting at home then bamm your going to jail for a crime you didn't do . And nobody believes you. You are screwed. Makes me sick. We're not safe from ignorance and injustice. Scary . None of us are safe in the USA. Proof of Mr. Floyd's murder on t.v.. How many people were put to death and were innocent?. Do they tell the family oops? This is murder . Where are human rights? This makes me dislike USA and the ignorance of the JUSTICE system. Amen.

[@lindacoleman2014]

@@barbaratreadway4052 I am so sorry for what happened to your son. God Bless you, I pray you somehow find Peace.

[@lesliestephens1726]

OK DRYYG WAP LOL L⁰PP⁰ AWW MY QM¹WE ¹

[@indichic29]

@@barbaratreadway4052 I'm sorry doesn't even begin to describe, reading that was like a punch to the stomach. It's an evil world we live in. I'm Soo sorry sweetie

[@malcolmzaid2443]

Sorry to be off topic but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost my password. I would love any tricks you can give me.

[@maddisonmichellets]

These men SHOULDN'T have to work or worry about money for the rest of their lives!

[@eboniewilliams2053]

At all! The State needs to compensate them for wrongfully stealing their innocence and ruining their lives! It's disgusting.

[@wendycottingham9770]

Amen❤

[@hebrewqueen9280]

Amen!!!

[@lagirl9440]

For the rest of their lives they need to be paid. 350k per year

[@tyj3211]

Lisa Ling is amazing in her ability to see the humanity in every situation, not judge but listen with an open heart and mind. I love her show!! Everyone should educate themselves by watching this series☺️👍

[@nikkigirl4072]

My husband spent 32 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit! Thank you for sharing this story.

[@Richard-lh3te]

So sorry he went through that. Nothing can ever make up for time

[@nikkigirl4072]

Dina Vargas Thank you so much❤️

[@nikkigirl4072]

Martika Booker thank you❤️

[@nikkigirl4072]

Martika Booker you are absolutely correct💯

[@07ikkin]

Oh wow, so you stood by him the whole time? 😢

[@nkhen_c357]

I never used to understand when my grandma would pray and say Lord I pray for those in jail. Those who are guilty let them repent and those who are not guilty free them Lord. The older I get and say the same prayer the more I understand. We must not be so quick to condemn. A baboon might be stealing the crops by the farm but that day it was not that baboon that stole the crops

[@pman2916]

Thank you for sharing. I believe that we should look for new things to learn each day. Today you taught me me something new..I too will add this in my prayers...this is one of the best ways I can be of service to others. Thank you so much and thank grandma too!

[@junglekimmy3611]

Your grandma sounds amazing, what a wise and kind soul ❤️

[@charlesstevens4247]

A truly holy woman !

[@maureenwanjiru307]

That's a wonderful message, thanks for sharing. God bless you and your grandma

[@Esstther]

Thank you for sharing your prayer. I will add to my prayers in Spanish. Muchas gracias desde Panamá 😘🇵🇦

[@gugu20051]

Lisa is so compassionate and very good at her job.Only journalist I can watch over and over again. Every documentary she does is done brilliantly

[@wendycottingham9770]

The USA needs to Pay Generously to People that are wrongly convicted😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@missladye2634]

That little money they gave Phillip is pennies...he deserved a million dollars for each year he spent in prison.....THE SYSTEM IS DISGUSTING!!!!

[@stephaniecole3013]

WHEN HE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO LAUGH OR CRY THAT BROKE MY HEART💔😞

[@NanaKonadu39]

Thanks to lawyers like Emily Maw and the Innocence project. You are really doing a wonderful work.

[@christineharbacheck1949]

Yea if your a man & with DNA in your case. They don't take females even with DNA. Rarely. They crooked picking only cases to bring in the monies, to get funded & donated to publicly.

[@carolinecardwell2163]

It takes a tremendous amount of bravery and integrity to say "If my father's guilty then he deserves his sentence"

[@MzFufu]

Unfortunately, Phillip Leo Bivens died in 2014 - four years after being exonerated. He and the other two men who were wrongfully imprisoned for the rape/murder were awarded $16.5M in August 2016. Sadly, all 3 men had already died at the time of the settlement. Larry Ruffin died in 2002, whilst in prison. Willie Dixon died in 2010, shortly after being released. May their names never be forgotten! Although they got no justice on earth, I truly hope they have peace!

[@eme2688]

may their souls rest in peace 🙏🏾❤️

[@Signal_light_instructor]

Why did phillip die?what happened

[@MsTeo91]

Damn 😢

[@LotsofLisa]

Did they ever find out who did kill that woman? That’s the thing with wrongfully convicted people, it’s not just that, but that there are murderers and rapists running around free while someone else serves their sentence.

[@Summer-rb2ol]

That is so awful 😔

[@lindseyr82]

I love Lisa Ling. I used to watch her on a small newscast that they would broadcast in middle school. I am now 38, and I still admire her journalistic style. Blessings to all!❤️

[@richiesharp5257]

Lisa Ling is amazing in her ability to see the humanity in every situation, not judge but listen with an open heart and mind. I love her show!! Everyone should educate themselves by watching this series☺️👍

[@sandyjoye8945]

She lost me when she said 60 is an old man🤔

[@marynzau7481]

Sure

[@Firstthunder]

Lisa Ling’s heart is full of compassion, empathy and truth.

[@CK-yo7ub]

350K$ for 30 years wrongful imprisonment!? That wouldn't even be acceptable for 1 year. America needs to do better smh

[@tamikaqueen1203]

He needs way more that $350 thousand dollars! No amount would be enough.

[@hebrewqueen9280]

@@tamikaqueen1203 I wish I could like your comment 1000x.

[@eme2688]

exactly!!!!!!

[@christineharbacheck1949]

Each state determines what cases & how much to compensate for providing proof of ones innocence. It'll NEVER EVER BE ENOUGH, & some states don't compensate at all.

[@junglekimmy3611]

That's laughing them in the face, "Woops, sorry your life is ruined, here's some exchange for ya"

[@allisontaylor1818]

I really like Lisa ....she is a rare breath of fresh air

[@bridgette7911]

This is extremely sad. Time is a treasure that is PRICELESS these people will never get their years back. They should be paid enough for several generations to live well. If they can provide billions for war they can help the people and their families enjoy their years of freedom.

[@PbnJAMilah]

This is so heartbreaking i want to cry my eyes out for these men.

[@michellehitt1976]

Philip is such a sweet soul. I hate he had to go through that.💞

[@joannemates6367]

OMG!!! Phillip and Ethel are just so freaking adorable!! I’m so happy he found love and happiness. He, so, deserves it. I wish them many happy years together. ❤️❤️✌️✌️❤️❤️

[@jillhart9]

thank you Lisa Ling. I have followed your journalism for years and you are an inspiration

[@eboniewilliams2053]

The anger has to die and dissipate so they can survive in jail. That's called repression! So damaging to the psyche and human soul. I feel so terribly for these men. The level of injustice is just beyond with no recompense.

[@christineharbacheck1949]

I had to pretend they were dead those I was forced to leave behind to get a grip to endure the 18 years inside of a 25yrs. sentence.

[@ARG2061]

@@christineharbacheck1949 damn hope you're doing good now ma'am

[@mars8044]

Really enjoying "Our America" series. Well done Lisa Ling. Greatly research docs.

[@glocktaviousbrown5420]

Its amazing how America passes itself off as this great flawless place full of laws and justice when its injustices that happen here all day everyday... I am almost moved to tears because I couldn't imagine the heart it takes to make it though something so horrible.

[@helena3631]

America has the largest population of jail out of every country… we also have a disproportionate amount of black men in jail even out of countries that are predominantly black it’s modern day slavery

[@robyndowney2233]

Thank you Oprah and Lisa of OWN for bringing out the things that directly affect people that seem to just get swept under the carpet. 🙂❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🌷🌻🌿🌺🌸

[@Richard-lh3te]

We need major justice reform. We have the most prisoners on the face of the planet.

[@barbaraleverette4894]

Yes we do, and I bet black’s are 75-80% of those incarcerations. So I’m still waiting for America to be great, for the first time!

[@Richard-lh3te]

Barbara Leverette it’s mostly black and brown people because after the abolishment of slavery they started imprisoning black people in mass to get back the free labor they got during slavery. Then with the war on drugs that criminalizes addiction which is a health issue rather than a criminal offence. And factor in the the strike laws which targeted poor people, black and brown people were funnelled into the system. This is what we talk about when we discuss systemic racism, it truly is a system.

[@ravenesqueone3033]

Dina Vargas - Get rid of private for profit prisons.

[@ceds.9592]

@@ravenesqueone3033 exactly!!

[@hs-qk9qf]

Wait a minute, did anybody catch in the first story the part where the guy put on "blackface" and a Black wig to murder his target? So, again a Black man was going to be a scapegoat for this crime, smh.😒

[@o0LoveLove0o]

Then she blames a white man. I chuckled jm sorry

[@MsTeo91]

I had to do a double take it’s absolutely disgusting

[@LotsofLisa]

Nope, I caught it right away! And then the third story, I saw that the evidence police lied and hid, the witness saw two black men leave the house and they framed a white suburban guy?!... WTF?! Where they do that at?!... That practically blew me away. What a disgusting system.

[@shinebright8313]

I don’t believe it was aimed to accuse a black man. It was to look vastly different from his actual appearance. Come on people. Don’t be so small minded. A black man wasn’t even accused!

[@LotsofLisa]

@@shinebright8313 Maybe it should be worded differently. Blackface means you put make up or something on your face to appear to be a black person.

[@deborahdoster5172]

He's handsome. Dont even look 60.

[@maybelikealittlebit]

@BJ22 lack of sun exposure does that to ya. Plenty of jail bird women look great coming out too. Quite a sad phenomenon imo. Like the opposite of how being pale used to be a sign of being wealthy or royal.

[@SpikedMountainDew]

Phillip is a cutie

[@sh00ta65]

I'm obsessed with these stories. I think I have watched them all on Netflix. It just baffles me at how they are able to get away with this so freely. We are in a flawed world. Damn

[@christineharbacheck1949]

By not standing up against it ,(all people's) your an enabler to it.. allowing it to continue.

[@joannemates6367]

I am 1 minute into this episode and my question is...... How can anyone ever be compensated for 30 years of their life!! The answer is........ They can’t!! This kind of injustice makes my heart hurt!!! 😭😭😭😭😭

[@carolmk3114]

There is no recompense for time. 30 years is a whole lifetime and a person's entire youth.

[@hannahp5728]

The innocence project is out here doing gods work. These poor people, the justice system failed and continues to fail.

[@jenaman3546]

Phillip, you're going to do this! Thank you Lisa Ling! You're as beautiful as always! 😍 Thank you for your patience and tolerance! You're amazing! Thank you Lady O for your network! 😍🤗💗

[@jennarotella9036]

These situations of innocent people being put to death or kept in prison for life

[@ARaebow]

😔

[@allanpeterson3358]

Lisa Ling is the best!!

[@zeniyawellsprettygirliscut2571]

Lisa Lang is a BOSS!! I have always loved anything she is in! This is a shame how people can be convicted WRONGLY. It’s sad

[@pman2916]

2 years of studying criminal law, the realisation that on top of a corrupt system, evidence that can free a client can be withheld, such as in these cases. I stopped my studies, otherwise it would destroy my soul. I feel broken for the innocent and what they had/have to endure.

[@mauricafoster1423]

Omg!!! that is so sad I feel so bad!!! I would never wish that on anyone😔

[@elizabethfrederick2434]

My chest tighens up and I can't get my breath with these programs about who is in prison and innocent. One aspect that you might want to address is just how the family feels with this judgment.

[@jdjd2838]

I feel pain and sadness with philips life, he got aged and passed alot of years without education: america stay where u r am not coming that no justice . Africa is my hero place am proud of our cultures and justice

[@bobore7061]

Please don't say you can feel others people pain.

[@Daiseehead]

@@bobore7061 It’s called empathy, which you might not understand.

[@bobore7061]

@@Daiseehead your wrong. Feeling empathy is not the same as feeling someone else pain that they are not experienceing in their own lives. You can't feel what they are feeling unless you are living in their bodies. For example I had empathy for the bird that just fell out of the tree.

[@Daiseehead]

@@bobore7061 I think that’s what he meant, though. Empathy.

[@goshen7334]

“But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:22‬ ‭KJVA

[@halmackey1602]

I SCREAMED when they introduced Ethel. Good for you phillip. I can not even imagine what this does to families, friends, the convicted and also the other victims families . Being wrongfully convicted destroys so many lives, meanwhile the DA 's want a conviction EVEN IF the person may be innocent. Disgusting, it's time for those in law and Justice to be tried when they wrongly convicted someone or withhold evidence etc.. this is f****** ridiculous, disgusting

[@juliemorgan-rose1446]

Can’t believe he came out with out any education after all those years so much for rehabilitation

[@ginnyscott7255]

My niece works with the Innocence Project.

[@suzystone244]

Thank GOD for this organization ❤

[@sharonburton9663]

As a society and human beings we have so much to be ashamed for.

[@YusufYusuf-ti2rz]

They should make this a federal law to use DNA testing in these types of situations

[@MelsBelles74]

Doug,I've a white German Shepherd too ,her name is Bonnie..Just gotta send you big respect from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐾✌🏻

[@mamachez65]

Lisa Ling is so good !

[@ispectra]

Duglas' daughter is blessed . Daughters are awesome.

[@lynnettedixon009]

God Bless Phillip in his humbleness of being innocent & in Prison for 3 decades🤷🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 May he be great for the remainder & the rest of his life👍🏽🙏🏽. God Bless Phillip with the rest of his life with his wife👍🏽😁🙏🏽

[@dinaoctavina5254]

Always love Lisa. She's so SMART.

[@monkeynumbernine]

Sure... she is a great at reading a script and talking to some people.

[@roseannes335]

Sometimes it has taken celebrities to get the government to budge from its unreasonable stance; & then the wrongly convicted have had to take Alford Pleas, so the government won't be sued. Pathetic. I'm glad one of the guys will get $350,000. I hope it helps him through the rest of his life. Thank God for The Innocence Project.

[@peggypeggy4137]

I agree. The government spends billions to put people to death. I read that on average, it costs 18 times more to execute someone than it does to keep them alive in prison. There are counties in Texas where they won't implement the DP because it is so cost prohibitive. Morally, it is simply wrong. To hold an innocent person hostage by forcing them to take the Alford plea in order to avoid being sued IS disgusting. To put all this $ for the DP into compensation would be the only ethical solution. The justice system isn't perfect but with all the advancements with DNA testing, there is no reason to not find the TRUTH.

[@roseannes335]

@@peggypeggy4137 I think we're ripped-off. Why do these things cost so much?

[@peggypeggy4137]

@@roseannes335 Probably the lawyers ! LOL

[@pmccann5811]

People who are exonerated deserve reparations.

[@jeanneeber]

I thank God every day that I live in New York State.

[@iriswilliams2266]

Lisa, may God Bless you, and keep you under His Grace, you and your loved ones be saved and born again..God Bless the Camera man and crew whom we do not see, who are recording everything for us. May all of be blessed and Please if you are not get born again...acts2:38

[@tonyagingerich9769]

They took so much from these men, they took their time, family and seems their souls. I pray they can get all back. But no one can get back time

[@Trenton.D]

And people wonder why there's a movement to end capital punishment i.e. the death penalty (aside from moral reasons).

[@kristy3041]

There has to be laws set in place to provent this from happening. There are so many men and woman that are innocent but the state will hardly ever admit to their wrongdoings because they don’t want to pay anyone or lose the inmate(money).

[@cashtaylor9804]

I couldn't agree more... money means more than a life to some!! This is so alarming. I've only heard of a very few ppl being wrongfully convicted of a severe crime in my 60yrs on earth and there's many ppl that have been!! The public needs to know things like this and not when a loved one is being taken to prison for a crime they did not commit💯 For some reason, I can't leave a comment for all to see, and I am only able to comment to ppl that have already commented, wheeew, i hope you got that, LoL! I agree 💯% with what you said and there needs to be new laws, ppl that read every bit of evidence & from both side's. This "news" definitely needs to become mainstream news and maybe then they could prevent this from happening💯 😎

[@cashtaylor9804]

And... I just looked and this 1st aired in 2012. It still isn't mainstream and I can't help to think of the other ppl that aren't guilty. I'm not stupid and know most are. For me, it's about the one that isn't guilty. One is just one too many!!

[@MarshasJourney]

The first man deserves it. Its Karma for all his wickedness.

[@louisecampbell2628]

Yep! agree

[@businessmanager4746]

The most important thing to do as a black American, stay away drama, cops, and be normal. Work for your living, stay to yourself and the minutes someone in your acts up social clean and keep it moving.

[@user-vw7bx9ll8n]

you sound white

[@melissanelson2849]

I’m so sorry for the children. You know there life is so stressful 🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@pamworly8923]

Some of these men are amazing. It breaks my ❤ that they died so early after being incarcerated for so long. I would like to think that the state would do everything in their power to get justice for them. But sadly these stories prove me wrong. Its almost fearful at times because it can happen to anyone....There by the grace of God go 🙏.

[@carolmk3114]

I am surprised that these men were not given settlement. Every few will be able to successfully integrate into society. They need help because justice failed them.

[@charlesstevens4247]

You cannot buy back time !!!! NEVER !!Imagine a young man wrongfully accused locked up at 17 given 20 years, you have removed the prime years of his /her life then ......oops we had the wrong man,heres some money, sorry, goodbye ! Use your imagination think about actually knowing what day time and place you are going to die and ........that you didnt do it !!!!

[@cadavher]

He never was exonerated, they put him to rest 2017.

[@kiki29073]

Everyone of these men and women that have been exonerated and released shouldn't have any financial problems. They should have received large payouts from the government for this.

[@kaydublin5164]

From the state’s government

[@jennifersnipes4177]

How heartbreaking!

[@mariaeuv7694]

It's really sad to see all these men's life wasted away for many years. They were broken and left with nothing after coming out of jail. Sad

[@mks6148]

This is America.

[@SineadObrey]

News update from 2017: "On his eighth scheduled execution date, Alabama Death Row inmate Tommy Arthur was put to death by lethal injection for a 1982 murder for hire."

[@jacure123]

He's paying the price for killing his sister in law that's a bad man, right there.

[@samsamcupcakes6476]

That's why I don't feel sorry for that man. He did kill someone and did hurt many people....

[@anm9881]

I love the last black couple !! Their are so cute together !!

[@gionee7035]

how many innocent behind bars ?? raise yr hand 🖐🖐

[@susanarsoniadou3588]

KUDOS TO HIS DAUGHTER AND SHAME ON THE STATE FOR DISPLAYING SUCH SHAMEFUL NEFARIOUS BEHAVIOUR

[@marjoleincloostra5665]

This is so heartbreaking, again 😢💔

[@t.v.k4048]

I love her voice, so clear. how can u put a person through this, execution attempts and postponement. thus is cruel

[@aprillilly32]

So sad I feel so hurt for these ppl I watch these videos and they change my views on so many things 😞

[@louiefranco993]

God bless you all♥️🙏🏻

[@flufwix]

This is why there needs to be clear evidence before cases are taken to court. And this is one of the reasons why the death penalty should cease. Also you’d think a state would prioritize testing new evidence rather than risking killing an innocent person.

[@faithfamilyandfood3200]

30 years lord bless him

[@chantalmartel4721]

Its sad story. Difficult to watch without crying.

[@kaarentamm6423]

LOL! I don't mean to laugh but it's so cute to see grandma with an e-convict. Go Granny!

[@beverleyreid7572]

Horrendous! I can barely breathe watching this. When is God coming for His people?

[@agaaboneface2332]

Tell me about it. Its hurting and upsetting.

[@nicolaxoxo1]

How can $350k be considered adequate compensation for 30 years in jail?

[@tonyagingerich9769]

That’s sad and so sickening, they stole their lives. 🙏🙏🙏

[@jessieoaks9764]

It's easy to forgive but way to easy to forget

[@michaelbagley9116]

If you truly understood the problems with false confessions, public barely capable defenders, police/prosecutorial misconduct, and more, you will really begin to see the problems of innocent behind bars. Just look up mass exoneration's. It will make you sick.

[@marthaharris8722]

Phillip gave up after so many years. He’s broken 🙏🏾

[@faithfamilyandfood3200]

What 5 years after killing his sister in law? He should not be on this story period

[@julieo1360]

Goodness me the least all these men should be given is a home and a job fresh start along with compensation. Wish them long life and happiness...

[@maryam7402]

Philip and his gf are so cute together:) I wish that happiness for all these men.

[@gilliandurkin3294]

Why aren't the lawyers who supress creditable evidence prosecuted ?

[@dodgermaven]

It is estimated that anywhere from 3% to 10% of people in prison are wrongfully convicted, that’s not an insignificant number.

[@aqua_souffle]

That means if you put 100 men in a room 3-10 are innocent. That is preposterous.

[@AD-tu1qg]

Philip is so sweet bless him :(

[@WadeFrick]

$350,000 for 30 years lost? Oh hell no I would not settle for that, more like 30 million.

[@slaiyfershin]

So the GUILTY accused woman gets a free GO TO JAIL card to use on anyone handed to her as 'punishment' for her crime? Amazing America!

[@autumnrose6370]

Life outside is hard af for anyone. I can only imagine the struggle coming home broke with no income. Pray ers for the innocent... to hit heaven fast. They deserve love ❤... 😊 joy.. family if any 👪 and income 🙌.... the state laws release the innocent with 😱$0.. Guys gotta get creative use social media to gain wealth.

[@robyndowney2233]

So much for a gracious world. These guys have been exonerated but they still can't get any traction in life because of a lack of grace from humanity. Shame on this world sometimes. 🙂❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🌷🌻🌿🌺🌸

[@adriennem3724]

Ethel is so sweet

[@ingibjorgmariasimonardotti2174]

America, world of the free and land of opurtunity. What a terrible system