Prisoner & Post-Conviction Polygraph
Polygraph testing to support a post-conviction legal strategy — arranged through the attorney and the facility
A professional polygraph examination can add corroborating weight to a post-conviction case — an appeal, a claim of wrongful conviction, a parole or sentencing submission, or a client maintaining innocence. It is supporting evidence for your legal strategy, not a decisive or automatically admissible finding. Every examination is coordinated with the person’s attorney, and testing inside a correctional facility depends on that facility’s authorization and cooperation.
Coordinated with your attorney · Examiners trained to APA standards · Confidential written report for the legal team · Free, no-obligation case review
Where a post-conviction polygraph can help
Families and legal counsel typically request a polygraph as one corroborating element in a wider post-conviction strategy. These are the situations we are most often asked to support.
Supporting a motion for post-conviction relief, an appeal, or a habeas petition — where a favourable, well-documented examination may add corroborating weight to new evidence the legal team is presenting. The polygraph does not overturn a conviction; it supports the case your attorney is building.
For individuals asserting they were wrongly convicted, an examination on a single, clearly defined relevant issue can corroborate a consistent account. Innocence-project style work and private post-conviction reviews often use polygraph as one supporting input alongside DNA, witness, or forensic evidence.
Ahead of a parole hearing or in mitigation at sentencing, a polygraph may support submissions about accountability, risk, or specific factual claims. How — and whether — a board or court will consider it varies; your attorney advises on weight and timing.
Where a client continues to maintain innocence during incarceration, a documented examination can be part of demonstrating a consistent position to counsel, family, and — at the attorney’s discretion — to the relevant authority. It is corroboration, never proof.
How testing is arranged — and why access is never guaranteed
This is the most important section to understand before you enquire. A polygraph cannot simply be booked for someone who is incarcerated. Access is arranged through the legal team and depends entirely on the facility’s cooperation.
It is arranged through the attorney — not the prisoner
The instruction comes from the legal team coordinating the case
We take instruction from the incarcerated person’s attorney or legal team — not from the prisoner directly. Families are welcome to make the first contact and fund the work, but the examination is coordinated with, and released to, the legal team so it fits the wider strategy and preserves confidentiality. If there is no attorney yet, we will explain what needs to be in place first.
In-facility testing requires the facility’s authorization
We can request access — we cannot promise a prison will grant it
Testing inside a correctional facility can only take place with that facility’s written authorization and active cooperation — a suitable private room, permitted equipment, scheduled access, and staff support. Decisions rest entirely with the facility and its rules, which vary widely between institutions and jurisdictions. Your attorney submits the request; we support it with the examiner’s requirements. Access is not something we control and is never guaranteed — set expectations accordingly and build timelines around a possible refusal or delay.
Where the person is on release, testing is at a professional office
Day-release, parole, bail, or post-release — the default and simplest path
Where the individual is on day-release, parole, probation, bail, or has been released, the examination takes place at one of our professional offices in the US, Canada, or UK — a controlled, private environment with no facility permissions required. This is the most straightforward route and, wherever a person’s status allows it, the one we recommend. All testing is conducted at an office; we do not offer home, phone, or online testing.
Supporting evidence — not a decisive or automatic finding
A polygraph is a credibility-assessment tool. In a post-conviction context it corroborates a legal strategy; it does not decide a case and is rarely admissible as of right. Read this before you enquire.
A polygraph supports a case — it does not win one
Post-conviction polygraph results are supporting, corroborating evidence only. They are rarely admissible as of right, they do not overturn convictions, and we make no guarantee of any outcome. Testing inside a facility depends on that facility’s authorization and cannot be promised. Every examination must be coordinated with the person’s attorney as one part of a wider legal strategy. If a provider promises admissibility, guaranteed access, or a guaranteed result, be cautious.
Post-conviction sex-offender testing is a separate programme
There is an important overlap to flag. Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) is a distinct, structured programme — not the same as the appeals and innocence work described on this page.
A structured five-stage process
Whether at an office or, where authorized, inside a facility, every examination follows the same structured process, coordinated with the legal team throughout. APA Standards of Practice require a minimum 90-minute appointment.
Free Case Review
We speak with the attorney or family, confirm the person’s status, and explain honestly whether and how an examination can be arranged — before any commitment.
Access & Question Design
Counsel submits any facility authorization request; where the person is on release we schedule an office. The examiner designs targeted yes/no questions on the relevant issue with the legal team.
Pre-Test Interview
Suitability assessment, full explanation, informed consent, and question review with the examinee — as required by APA §1.6.2. Nothing is asked that has not been reviewed and agreed.
Examination
A private room at the office or, where authorized, within the facility. Non-invasive sensors record respiration, cardiovascular activity, electrodermal activity, and movement.
Report to the Legal Team
A detailed, court-ready written report is prepared and released to the attorney, typically within 24–48 hours. Recordings are retained per APA standards.
What determines the cost
We don’t publish a single flat fee for post-conviction work because the right price depends on the person’s status, where testing takes place, and the coordination involved. Here’s what shapes it.
Case & CoordinationAppeals, wrongful-conviction, parole, maintaining innocence
Location & AccessOffice testing vs. authorized in-facility testing
Every examination produces one of three outcomes
Understanding what each means — including inconclusive — matters before the legal team decides how to use the report.
No Deception Indicated
The physiological data does not indicate deception on the relevant question. Consistent with a truthful answer — corroborating, at the attorney’s discretion, the account the case is built on. Commonly called a “pass.”
Deception Indicated
The data suggests a deceptive response to one or more relevant questions. Commonly called a “fail.” Because the report is released to the legal team, counsel decides how, or whether, it factors into strategy.
Inconclusive
The data is insufficient for a definitive finding either way. This is not a fail. It occurs in roughly 10–15% of examinations. A retest may be beneficial — no additional charge where it arose from an examiner or equipment issue.
Suitability is assessed before every test
APA Standards of Practice (§1.2.3) require examiners to assess suitability before testing. For post-conviction work, both the person’s suitability and the practical route to access are reviewed during the free case review.
Generally a good fit
- Cases actively coordinated with an attorney or legal team
- A single, clearly defined relevant issue to be tested
- Individuals on day-release, parole, probation, bail, or post-release (office testing)
- In-custody cases where the facility is willing to authorize access
- Healthy adults able to give informed consent
May affect suitability — discuss first
- No attorney involved yet — we’ll explain what needs to be in place
- Facilities that decline access or cannot accommodate the requirements
- Cardiovascular or respiratory conditions affecting monitoring
- Active psychosis, severe dissociative disorders, or recent psychiatric crisis
- Expecting the polygraph to overturn a conviction on its own — it cannot
Guides worth reading before you enquire
Background on legal use, admissibility, pricing, and who we are — useful for both families and legal counsel.
Common questions about prisoner & post-conviction polygraph
Can you test someone who is in prison?
Only where the correctional facility authorizes it. Testing inside a facility requires that institution’s written authorization and active cooperation — a private room, permitted equipment, scheduled access, and staff support. The request is made by the person’s attorney; we support it with the examiner’s requirements. Decisions rest with the facility, vary widely between institutions, and access is never guaranteed. Where the person is on release, parole, or bail, testing takes place at one of our professional offices instead.
How is it arranged?
Through the incarcerated person’s attorney or legal team, not the prisoner directly. Families can make first contact and fund the work, but the examination is coordinated with, and the report released to, the legal team. It starts with a free case review in which we confirm the person’s status and explain honestly whether and how testing can be arranged before anyone commits.
Is a polygraph admissible in a post-conviction case?
Rarely as of right. Admissibility varies significantly by jurisdiction, and in most post-conviction settings a polygraph is treated as supporting, corroborating evidence rather than decisive proof. It can still be valuable in negotiation, mitigation, and parole submissions. Your attorney advises on admissibility and weight for your jurisdiction — see also our polygraph laws by state reference.
Can a polygraph overturn a conviction?
No. A polygraph does not overturn a conviction or decide a case. It is one corroborating element that may add weight to the evidence and arguments your legal team presents in an appeal, relief motion, or parole submission. We make no guarantee of any outcome.
Can it help with a parole hearing or sentencing?
It may. Ahead of a parole hearing or in mitigation at sentencing, a documented examination can support submissions about accountability, risk, or specific factual claims. Whether a board or court will consider it — and what weight it carries — varies, so the timing and use are decided with your attorney.
Is this the same as PCSOT?
No. Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) is a distinct, court-ordered or agency-referred programme run within the containment model with probation and treatment teams. The appeals, wrongful-conviction, and parole-support work on this page is separate. If your matter is PCSOT, see our Post-Conviction Sex Offender Polygraph page.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on the person’s status, whether testing is at an office or, where authorized, in a facility, travel, and the coordination involved. A non-refundable booking-fee deposit ($100 USD/CAD, £150 UK) secures the appointment and is deducted from the total — and is fully refunded only if we cannot accept your case or arrange an appointment. The balance is confirmed once the case is assessed. See our pricing page for starting rates.
Who receives the result?
The written report is released to the person’s attorney or legal team, who decide how — or whether — it is used and disclosed. This keeps the examination within the legal strategy and protects confidentiality. Results are not shared with any third party without the appropriate consent.
Start With a Free, Confidential Case Review
Tell us the person’s status and what the legal team needs to establish. We’ll explain honestly whether — and how — a post-conviction examination can be arranged, before anyone commits. Coordinated with your attorney. No guarantees, no pressure.