A Qualitative Study of the Issues that Govern the Compensation Process for Wrongful Convictions by Lindsay Catherine Hanright B.A. (Hons.), Wilfrid Laurier University, 2010 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the School of Criminology Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Lindsay Hanright 2014 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2014 Approval Name: Lindsay Catherine Hanright Degree: Master of Arts (Criminology) Title: A Qualitative Study of the Issues that Govern the Compensation Process for Wrongful Convictions Examining Committee: Chair: Martin Andresen Associate Professor Simon Verdun-Jones Senior Supervisor Professor Neil Boyd Supervisor Professor Patrick Smith External Examiner Professor Department of Political Science Date Defended/Approved: December 8, 2014 ii Partial Copyright Licence iii Ethics Statement iv Abstract Compensation for wrongful convictions in Canada is an ad hoc process that must be reformed. Once exonerated, wrongfully convicted persons deserve reasonable and expeditious compensation awards for the miscarriage of justice that they have suffered. This study involves the use of two qualitative methods to investigate the compensation process for wrongful convictions in Canada. First, a review of archival records was performed based on the examination of a number of wrongful conviction cases, along with assessments of the compensation recommendations from the seven Commissions of Inquiry into wrongful convictions in five Canadian provinces. Second, in-depth interviews were conducted with prominent legal and government experts on compensation for wrongful convictions. This study provides a forum for continued exploration of this societal problem, with the objectives of heightening awareness of its nature and scope and proposing recommendations for an improved compensation scheme. Keywords: wrongful conviction; compensation for wrongful conviction; federal-provincial guidelines; commissions of inquiry; factual innocence v Dedication This thesis is dedicated to the wrongfully convicted who have endured the sufferings of injustice and the difficulties in seeking justified compensation. vi Acknowledgements The journey in preparing this thesis has been a challenging and inspiring undertaking. The selection of a topic, the qualitative research, and the scripting of this document were among the most gratifying moments of my Master’s program. This tribute is to a number of exceptional people who have significantly contributed to the successful outcome of this endeavour. These special individuals include Simon Verdun-Jones, Neil Boyd, the participants interviewed for this study, my parents, and my friends. First, my deepest gratitude goes to Simon Verdun-Jones who expertly guided me through my post-graduate education. You have been a constant source of support and encouragement. Your generosity, wisdom, enthusiasm, and patience have been largely instrumental in my success. I have enjoyed our relationship from the time that I became a Teaching Assistant for your second year Criminal Law course. I value our friendship and I look forward to your on-going mentorship as my career evolves. I would like to thank Neil Boyd for helping me find a thesis topic and for serving on my supervisory committee. You have always found the time to speak with me, despite your hectic schedule. You were invaluable in shaping my research focus and providing the guidance, inspiration, and optimism which I needed to move forward with this project. To the participants of this study who freely gave of their time to be interviewed, I respectfully thank you for the privilege of being a beneficiary of your expertise. To my parents, I am indebted to you for your unwavering support. I could never have accomplished this task without you. Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to continue when I was ready to give up. Thank you for investing in my future and for teaching me what it means to be truly loved. I am forever blessed to have such selfless parents whose devotion to me knows no bounds. vii To Amanda Butler, thank you for taking this journey with me. Your friendship undoubtedly helped me through the last three years with your sound advice, continuous reassurance and moral support. I am most fortunate to have you as my best friend. And finally, thank you to all my family and friends who have backed this endeavour by providing a listening ear when I needed to vent, open arms when I needed a hug, and for just simply being there with your endless support and encouragement. viii Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Partial Copyright Licence ............................................................................................... iii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iv Abstract ........................................................................................................................... v Dedication ...................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 1.1. Research Overview and Rationale.......................................................................... 1 1.2. Research Accomplished ......................................................................................... 3 1.3. Structure of the Paper............................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2. Background Information ......................................................................... 7 2.1. Definition of Wrongful Conviction ............................................................................ 7 2.2. Consequences of Wrongful Convictions – Immeasurable Loss ............................... 8 2.3. Compensation Methods .......................................................................................... 9 2.4. Canadian Legal System ........................................................................................ 11 2.5. Factual Innocence ................................................................................................ 14 2.6. Compensation Process ......................................................................................... 15 2.7. Comparison of Compensation Systems in Other Countries .................................. 16 2.7.1. Australian Compensation Process ........................................................... 16 2.7.2. England and Wales Compensation Process ............................................ 18 2.7.3. United States Compensation Process ..................................................... 19 2.8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 22 Chapter 3. Methodology .......................................................................................... 24 3.1. Research Objectives and Questions ..................................................................... 24 3.2. Research Methods - Introduction .......................................................................... 25 3.3. Research Methods - Phase One: Archival Records ............................................. 26 3.3.1. Sample Selection ..................................................................................... 26 3.3.2. Compensation Case Archival Records .................................................... 27 3.3.3. Data Analysis - Archival Records ............................................................. 29 3.3.4. Limitations ............................................................................................... 29 3.4. Research Methods - Phase Two: Interviews with the Experts .............................. 30 3.4.1. Rationale for Using Interviews ................................................................. 30 3.4.2. Study Setting ........................................................................................... 31 3.4.3. Participant Selection for Interviews .......................................................... 31 3.4.4. Interview Guide........................................................................................ 33 3.4.5. Data Collection ........................................................................................ 34 3.4.6. Data Analysis – Interviews ....................................................................... 36 3.4.7. Limitations ............................................................................................... 38 3.5. Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................... 38 ix Chapter 4. Findings – Archival Records ................................................................ 41 4.1. Wrongful Conviction Case Records ...................................................................... 41 4.1.1. Steven Truscott Compensation Case ...................................................... 41 4.1.2. Donald Marshall Compensation Case .....................................................