A Texas man was released from jail after new DNA evidence is presented in court on Thursday. Charles Chatman spent nearly 27 years in jail after being convicted of rape in 1981. The now 47 year old Chatman had been picked out of a lineup by a woman who lived down the street from him and was given a 99 year sentence for aggravated sexual assault. He was the 15th inmate in Dallas freed using DNA testing since 2001, more than any other county in the United States. He is also the longest-serving wrongly convicted man in the state, serving almost 27 years before being released.

What actions, if any, should state and county governments take to “right” the wrong of sending someone to prison for a crime they did not commit? What rights should these people now have against the government? Is there any possible way to make up for more than half a life wasted serving time for a crime Charles Chatman did not commit?