Editorial: Exonerees deserve better compensation

    Exonerees are currently not compensated enough to adequately cover the consequences to their lives that being unjustly imprisoned has cost them. This is the claim made by the author of the editorial Exonerees deserve better compensation found HERE on the Dallas Morning News website.

            Because this piece is well structured and easy to understand, the intended audience of this editorial seems to be the citizen of Texas who does not know about the Timothy Cole Act. This editorial would also be helpful to those who have reservations about the bill since it offers a good deal of background knowledge to support the author’s claim and the language used has a sense of urgency for people to address the issue and understand the severity of it, arguing the bill “deserves quick approval.”

            The author of this editorial has a high credibility a member of the editorial board of the Dallas Morning News. The reader can tell that the author is informed. His/her piece is well written, succinct, to-the-point and uses a diverse amount of evidence. The author’s argument is weakened, however, by the lack of information provided regarding any oppositional opinions.

            The author provides factual evidence and background information, such as current Texas policies regarding exonerees, as well as anecdotal evidence to support his claim that currently exonerees do not benefit much from the current laws. The author clearly and briefly lays out his/her argument for the Timothy Cole Act to be passed. This bill increases the amount of financial compensation given to Texas exonerees and addresses the issues in a more holistic manner than the current legislation by providing health insurance, tuition payments and the option of annual payments (so that exonerees do not squander their money and end up on the streets).

            I agree with the author of this editorial. Government too often feels they can throw a bunch of money at people in order to solve a problem. Rafael Anchia’s Timothy Cole Act takes into consideration the various levels of trauma experienced by Texas exonerees and allocates the money in a way that is much more helpful in getting these victims back on their feet. Though nothing could ever make up for sending someone to years of jail when they are innocent, this bill should be passed!