Miscarriages of justice in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand: mental health outcomes and life experiences of wrongfully convicted and accused individuals

Objective: Miscarriages of justice-such as wrongful conviction, false accusation, and investigation-have serious psychological and social impacts. While most research in this area originates in the US and UK, little is known about outcomes in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Method: This study examined the mental health and social experiences of people who have experienced miscarriages of justice in these countries, and compared these results with larger-scale studies from the US and UK. Respondents completed measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress, social support, and posttraumatic cognitions. Results: Our results revealed worryingly high rates of mental health problems: more than half (54.55%) reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms, and many (45.45%) also reported clinically significant depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. These rates were also comparable to US exonerees and victims of the United Kingdom Post Office Scandal. Conclusions: These findings highlight the severe, multifaceted effects of miscarriages of justice and underscore the need for improved mental health support, compensation, reintegration services, and systemic reform.