We have worked to establish a survivor-led network of individuals who were sentenced to serve long prison sentences as children, including life without parole sentences, but have since been released from prison. With this network, participants can build power at the grassroots level, centering the voices of those with lived experience, creating a movement driven by survivors and their families. These individuals have endured some of the harshest punishments our criminal legal system can impose. Rather than speaking for them, we are creating space for them to organize, lead, and advocate for themselves. Participants are invited to monthly gatherings that serve multiple purposes: peer support, skill-building, and strategic planning for education and awareness efforts.
If you are a survivor of a lengthy sentence or a loved one of someone serving a lengthy sentence who would like to be involved in this network, please contact Lindsay Bass-Patel.