
Welcome To Innocence Ottawa
Where justice can be restored
About Innocence Ottawa
Founded in 2012, Innocence Ottawa is a non-profit volunteer organization in the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa. We seek to address the problem of wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
Undergraduate and Graduate students in Law and Criminology at the University of Ottawa volunteer their time in an effort to assist individuals who claim to have been wrongfully convicted and are seeking conviction review. The students, under the guidance of Professor Kathryn Campbell and local criminal defense counsel, examine the cases of these individuals and where feasible, re-investigate and seek proof of their claim to innocence.
The ultimate goal in helping the wrongful convicted is to seek a formal remedy under Section 696.1 of the Criminal Code.
Meet the Team
-
Kathryn
Faculty Director
Kathryn M. Campbell is a full professor of Criminology at the University of Ottawa and a criminal defense attorney. Kathryn started Innocence Ottawa in 2012 as she saw a great need to help the wrongly convicted in their pursuit of conviction review. The dedicated work of a number of student volunteers -from criminology and law - over the past 13 years have made Innocence Ottawa what it is today.
-
Mackenzy
Executive Director
Mackenzy has successfully graduated from the University of Warwick in England with a Master of Arts in International Security and an Honours Bachelor of Social Science specializing in Criminology within the French Immersion Stream from the University of Ottawa. While volunteering with Innocence Ottawa, Mackenzy believes in the existence of trust, respect, honesty, and open communication while advocating for individuals seeking exoneration.
-
Kaila
Managing Director
Kaila holds a Graduate Certificate in Criminology from Bond University in Australia and an Honours Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Forensic Psychology from Carleton University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminology at the University of Ottawa and has been volunteering with Innocence Ottawa since 2023. Driven by a passion for advocacy, Kaila believes that trust and open dialogue are essential to supporting individuals who have experienced a miscarriage of justice.
-
Aimée
Aimée has completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts specializing in Psychology and an Honours Bachelor of Social Science specializing in Criminology, both at the University of Ottawa. She is dedicated to uncovering the truth and ensuring that individuals who have experienced miscarriages of justice receive the support and resources they need.
-
Taylor
Taylor is a second-year student at the University of Ottawa, pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Criminology with French Immersion and a minor in Conflict Studies and Human Rights. She is dedicated to fighting for truth and justice and is passionate about providing advocacy and support for those who have experienced miscarriages of justice.
-
Samantha
Samantha was called to the Ontario Bar in 2023 and works as a lawyer practicing primarily family law and real estate. She is proud to use her skills as a lawyer with Innocence Ottawa for the benefit of those who are wrongfully convicted. Samantha Savage has been a member of Innocence Ottawa since 2022. Samantha has always been interested in the pursuit of justice and justice system reform. In law school, her research focus was on wrongful convictions and criminal Justice reform in Canada. Samantha’s research paper, “The Reliability of Expert Evidence in Canada: Safeguarding Against Wrongful Convictions” was published in the Wrongful Convictions Law Review in 2022
-
Ethan
Ethan is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s J.D. Program and has been a member of Innocence Ottawa for three years. As part of his passion for criminal justice advocacy, Ethan loves working with the IO Team to address wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
-
Rosa
Rosa holds a Master’s degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a specialization in Criminology from Trent University. She contributes to Innocence Ottawa through case review, legal research, community outreach and event coordination. She is committed to advancing justice reform and addressing wrongful convictions through grassroots advocacy and community-driven engagement and research.
-
Jordan
Jordan graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Joint Honours in Philosophy and Political Science as well as a Master's in Philosophy. Jordan has been a member of Innocence Ottawa for five years and currently attends Queen's University Law School as a 2L.
-
Erin
-
Ni manàdjiyànànig Màmìwininì Anishinàbeg, ogog kà nàgadawàbandadjig iyo akì eko weshkad. Ako nongom egawìkàd kì mìgiwewàdj. Ni manàdjiyànànig kakina Anishinàbeg ondaje kaye ogog kakina eniyagizidjig enigokamigàg Kanadàng eji ondàpinangig endàwàdjin Odàwàng. Ninisidawinawànànig kenawendamòdjig kije kikenindamàwin; weshkinìgidjig kaye kejeyàdizidjig. Nigijeweninmànànig ogog kà nìgànì sòngideyedjig; weshkad, nongom; kaye àyànikàdj.
We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future.
Nous rendons hommage au peuple algoquin, qui est le guardien traditionnel de cette terre. Nous reconnaissons leur relation de longue date avec ce territoire, qui reste non cédé. Nous rendons hommage à tous les peuples autochtones de cette région, de toutes les nations à travers le Canada, qui appellent Ottawa leur maison. Nous reconnaissons les détenteurs de savoirs traditionnels, tant jeunes qu'anciens. Ainsi nous honorons leurs dirigeants courageux: passés, présents et futurs.