What kinds of post conviction relief are available to federal prisoners?:
What you describe is sad, and the system we have devised.  The courts are the best that human beings have come up with so far in the history of the planet.  But they are far from perfect and mistakes happen all the time.  As you rightly point out, public "pretenders" are anything but helpful.

What is important is to not quit, ever.  Even while imprisoned, a person can use his or her wits, and study the law and work actively on the appeal.  Deadlines are critical.

Bad things happen to good people.  And life is anything but fair.  Instead of focusing on what happened, sometimes all a person can do is look to the future and make the best of every day.