Vernon T. Bateman spent 25 years of his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence and the alleged victim and their family pleading for his release, Vernon was imprisoned for over two decades and continues to live under monitoring and harsh restrictions. Even in the face of these injustices, Vernon remains optimistic, and his primary concern is always the well-being of others. This struggle for Vernon’s exoneration it not only motivated by his personal desire for freedom but by our desire to strike a blow against the system that keeps our people down every single day. In a word, it is for all the other Vernons out there.

This page is a nexus for all aspects of the struggle for Vernon’s freedom. Here, you can learn more about his life, his art, his case, and how you can support him.

Sign and Share the Petition: Exonerate Vernon!

Catch the Two-Part Documentary Series

26 years too long: Vernon T. Bateman’s fight for freedom

16 years of transformation: Vernon sketches the struggle

Witness Vernon as an Educator

The real Tarzan: A revolutionary history lesson by Vernon T. Bateman

“Education is another form of freedom:” Vernon’s DePauw University lectures

Support the Campaign