HFP BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVES AWARD

Who would have believed that Ken Wyniemko would ever receive an award from a group of lawyers? It was just 5 years ago that he was considered a common criminal, serving 40-60 years in the Michigan prison system for rape.

Wyniemko was only the second person in Michigan history to be found innocent by DNA testing. He was freed in 2003 after serving nearly 10 years for a crime that science proved he did not commit.

This week, Wyniemko received the ALLENE & MARTIN DOCTOROFF LIBERTY BELL AWARD by the Oakland County Bar Association in a special program on June 11 2008 in West Bloomfield. Executive Director Lisa Stadig Elliot commended Ken for his leadership and community activism to advocate for criminal justice reform since his exoneration.

Wyniemko began serving on the board of INNOCENT, before the name change to Humanity for Prisoners. He speaks around the country on the importance of justice for all. Doug Tjapkes of Spring Lake, President of HFP, congratulated Wyniemko on winning the award, but said his more significant accomplishment will be revised legislation in the state of Michigan that will make permanent improvements in the state's judicial processes.

"He's a tireless worker for fairness," said Tjapkes, "and we're proud of him!"

Humanity for Prisoners is a 501c3 organization based in western Michigan but serving all 50 states as an advocate for prisoners, especially those claiming wrongful conviction. The agency is assisted by a battery of professional volunteers including lawyers, paralegals, physicians, social workers and private investigators, and is supported by contributions and grants. It has three web sites, and hopes to initiate a regular internet broadcast in the near future.

A goal of HFP is to establish a network of chapters in each state.

Humanity for Prisoners
20 W. Muskegon Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440
www.humanityforprisoners.org