Life After Justice

National Campaign to Amplify the Voices of America's Wrongfully Convicted and Their Loved Ones- The National Amplification Campaign is the first national survey created by and for the wrongfully convicted and their loved ones. LAJ is spearheading an unprecedented nationwide survey to uncover factors and solutions to build an ecosystem of support through understanding the effects of wrongful incarceration. This research will serve as the cornerstone of LAJ's program development and advocacy initiatives, enabling LAJ to respond to the true needs of this unique population on their journey to thrive - not just survive - post-release.

Holistic Mental Health and Wellness Empowerment Pilot Program - A first-of-its kind direct response to the urgent need for comprehensive care tailored to address the profound trauma and lasting effects of wrongful incarceration, LAJ delivers free, trauma-informed care designed for the wrongfully convicted and their families, integrating mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional healing. The program removes systemic barriers to access and trains clinicians in a unique curriculum to serve this community. With demand rising, LAJ is setting a new standard for post-exoneration care.

Incentivized Informants Research Project -The Incentivized Informants Project is a first-of-its kind research project focused on examining the role of incentivized informants in known wrongful convictions. Incentivized witness testimony is a leading cause of wrongful convictions, contributing to more than 15% of wrongful convictions that were later overturned through DNA testing. LAJ's research involves reviewing 2,101 cases-out of the first 3,500 known exonerations in the National Registry of Exonerations-that involved false or perjured testimony, to determine which cases involved incentivized informants. LAJ has completed a preliminary review of 98% of wrongful convictions involving perjury or false accusations (2,058 out of 2,101 cases) and has identified at least 983 cases likely involving incentivized informants. LAJ is conducting research to build a database of these cases that will be used to educate and inform key stakeholders on this issue.

Programming Administration