Puracal Family sues Nicaragua in the United Nations

This week the Jason Puracal Case made it to the United Nations.

Jason Zachary Puracal v. Government of Nicaragua was filed on January 18th in New York City. Acting as his attorney in the international courts, Jason's sister, Janis Puracal, along with high profile human rights attorney Jared Genser of Perseus Strategies filed the petition in the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. It requires that the Working Group find that Jason's detention is arbitrary and without due process, in violation of Nicaraguan and international laws.

This is the first time a lawsuit has been filed against Nicaragua in the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, making it monumental not only for Jason, but also for international law. The petition specifically requests urgent action in light of the subhuman prison conditions in which Jason is living.

Janis also made headlines in Nicaragua. I hope our community will continue to follow this case and support the Puracal Family. Learn more at FreeJasonP.com.

6 Films on Wrongful Conviction

Sometimes the wrongful imprisonment stories we hear about feel like they were ripped from fiction. But sadly the heartache and trauma faced by families is all too real.

This article celebrates the ones that have been adapted for the screen and others that are incredible works of fiction. In either case, dialogue around the topic of wrongful imprisonment helps the cause throughout the world. So check out these 6 movies about wrongful imprisonment.

Jason Puracal completes 1 yr. in Prison

I was recently inspired by this video of "The Hikers" - my dear friends Sarah Shourd, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer - that sent support messages to Jason Puracal on his 1-year mark of wrongful detainment.

Jason, please know that on this difficult anniversary, the thoughts and prayers of many are with you.

For those who have not, please visit FreeJasonP.com to learn more about this case.

Jason Puracal - New Campaign Video

The Free Jason P team launched a compelling campaign video about Jason Puracal. I encourage you to watch this video and share it with everyone you know.

After a Hard Fight, Proof of Hope

This past April I spoke at the 2011 International Innocence Network Conference, and brought along my dear friend, Sarah Shroud.

At the time, Sarah had been newly freed. Though released from wrongful imprisonment in Iranian, she was still without her fiance, Shane Bauer, and dear friend, Josh Fattal who remained locked up. We took this photo along with other exonerees from high profile, international cases: José Antonio Zuñiga (México), Ron Dalton (Canada) and Toshikazu Sugaya (Japan). We held our arms open, holding a place for both Shane and Josh.


On September 21st, the Hikers were freed. It was a beautiful moment to see their families reunited after almost two years of wrongful detainment.

This past weekend, I was able to attend a celebration for the families and friends of Sarah, Shane and Josh. Here we are, with our arms around them - just as we had imagined months prior.


Welcome home, guys.