But the time given for proving their cases was limited and is quickly running out. On Oct. 1, the statute of limitations expires, and so do the hopes of hundreds of inmates.

It is doubtful that most of those inmates who claim innocence are innocent, but justice would not be served if the plug were pulled on work currently under way by defense lawyers and law students trying to assist them.

It takes a lot of time to review trial transcripts and try to find evidence for testing.

Jennifer Greenberg, director of the Florida Innocence Initiative at Nova Southeastern University, told The New York Times last month that her organization has reviewed some 280 cases and found that 20 have viable DNA-based innocence claims. But her organization is under the gun to complete review of more than 200 other files - an impossible task.

Government has an obligation to do everything it can to prevent unjust imprisonment and particularly the implementation of the death penalty for a crime the death row inmate did not commit. Lawmakers should extend the deadline.