[Sci Fi Guy]

Does he get "credit" for his 26 years?

I believe that if he can seek compensation. 26 years of wages plus interest.

[only1percent]

The legal standard to win damages for false imprisonement is very, very high. Wrongful imprisonment cases get settled for a relative pittance, $100,000 or $200,000 or so after legal fees, unless there's a truly huge smoking gun (like an internal memo from a detective to a D.A. saying, "I know this guy's innocent, but I say let the bastard fry anyway.")