Cleveland, Ohio – After spending nearly four decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Ricky Jackson has been awarded more than $1 million in compensation by the state of Ohio.

Jackson was just 19 years old when he was convicted of murder in 1975. His conviction rested heavily on the testimony of a 12-year-old eyewitness, who years later admitted that his account was false. Jackson was released in 2014 after the witness recanted his testimony and new evidence proved he could not have been involved in the crime.

At the time of his exoneration, Jackson had served what was believed to be the longest prison sentence of any wrongfully convicted person in U.S. history.

The $1 million compensation award recognizes the profound injustice Jackson endured. Reacting to the news, Jackson expressed surprise at the amount and described it as deeply meaningful after losing 39 years of his life to a wrongful conviction.

His case highlights the devastating human cost of miscarriages of justice within the legal system. Like many exonerees, Jackson faced the difficult challenge of rebuilding his life after decades of imprisonment for a crime he did not commit.

Jackson’s story continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of reliable evidence, the impact of false testimony, and the need for accountability when the justice system fails.