In a heartfelt meeting on October 28, 2024, the Princeton, New Jersey, mayor and council honored Centurion, the world’s first innocence organization, founded in 1983 by Jim McCloskey. The organization is dedicated to supporting and exonerating the wrongfully convicted, a mission that has resonated deeply within the community.

Mayor Mark Frieda opened the session with a land acknowledgment, recognizing the Leni Lenape people, before transitioning to the main agenda item: a proclamation honoring Centurion. Council members expressed their admiration for the organization’s critical work, which includes reinvestigating serious criminal cases, uncovering lost evidence, and providing post-release support to individuals who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

Council member Leighton Newland shared his personal experiences working with formerly incarcerated individuals, emphasizing the emotional toll of wrongful convictions and the importance of Centurion's mission. He highlighted the organization’s unique role in addressing injustices within the criminal justice system, stating, “This is probably the greatest acknowledgement we here in Princeton will ever have for the only entity in, quite frankly, the world that does what these people do.”

The proclamation detailed Centurion's achievements, noting that it has freed 71 innocent individuals, representing a staggering 1,500 years of life lost to wrongful imprisonment. The organization receives over 1,000 new requests for assistance each year and currently manages 20 to 25 active cases at any given time, largely supported by volunteers from the Princeton area.

Cori Waldron, Centurion's Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the recognition, underscoring the organization's commitment to fighting for justice and supporting clients long after their release. The meeting concluded with a strong call for broader awareness of the injustices faced by the wrongfully convicted, reinforcing the vital role that Centurion plays in advocating for those who have suffered due to systemic failures in the legal system.