When we talk to survivors, most of us want the same things: violence prevention programs, mental health treatment, substance abuse services, support for young people before they cause harm. Cash assistance for families who’ve lost the person who provided for them, and are now grieving and trying to survive at the same time. Resources for survivors that don’t require participating in the criminal legal system. These are the things that reduce harm. Long sentences alone don’t do that, and the data backs that up. We believe in accountability, but we also believe in investing in the things that prevent the next crime from happening in the first place.

No. A lot of people assume that in order to do this work, we must have forgiven the person who killed our loved one. The truth is, our members are all over the map on it. Some have forgiven, and that has been deep and meaningful work. Others feel just as strongly that forgiveness isn’t something they owe anyone, and that’s valid too. Forgiveness is a charged word in this space, and people have strong feelings about it on all sides, but our position doesn’t depend on it either way. What actually connects our members isn’t how they feel about the person who caused them harm. It’s what they believe about justice and public safety. That’s the common ground.

A panel of commissioners, most of whom are former law enforcement, reviews each case individually. They assess whether the person has done the real work of accountability, self-reflection, and preparation for life outside prison. Prosecutors present their case. Victims, survivors, and next of kin can provide input. And in murder cases, the governor reviews every parole grant. There is no guarantee of release. In fact, only about 11% of people who go before the board are found suitable for parole.

There’s no big commitment up front. Some members come to community gatherings and trainings. Some participate in speaking engagements at colleges or faith communities. Some have come to Sacramento for our Day of Advocacy. Some just want to be part of a community of people who understand what they’ve been through. The one thing we do ask is that if SAFE supports a piece of legislation down the road, members are willing to write a letter to a legislator. Beyond that, you can be as involved or as uninvolved as you want, and that can change over time.

Yes. Some of our strongest support comes from people who stand with us but haven’t experienced this kind of loss themselves. You can help by spreading the word about SAFE, connecting us with speaking opportunities in your community or classroom, writing a letter to your legislator if legislation comes up, or simply showing up at public events. Financial contributions help us keep this work going, and if you have professional skills that might be useful, we’d love to hear about that too. Reach out and we’ll talk about what makes sense.

SAFE is a survivor-led organization, so our core membership is people who have lost loved ones to homicide. But this work doesn’t happen without the people directly affected by LWOP sentences and their families. We also know that many people who have been incarcerated have themselves lost loved ones to homicide, even if that’s not the identity they lead with. If that’s part of your story, you may belong here in more ways than one. Reach out and tell us a little about your connection to this issue. We’d like to find the right way to work together.

No. Forgiveness is deeply personal, and people in our community are all over the map on it. Some members have done that work and it’s been important to them. Others feel strongly that forgiveness isn’t something they owe anyone, and they’re right too. What we’ve found is that it just doesn’t come up the way people expect it to. The thing that actually connects our members isn’t how they feel about the person who caused them harm. It’s what they believe about justice and public safety. That’s the common ground.

SAFE is a community of survivors first. We do have a policy position: we believe young people sentenced to life without parole should have the opportunity for parole review. And some of our members choose to share that perspective with legislators and in their communities. But we are not a lobbying organization, and political action is not what holds us together. What holds us together is shared experience and shared values.

SAFE’s work is focused on California, where the policy conversation is happening. If you’ve lost a loved one to homicide in California but have since moved out of state, you are absolutely welcome as a member. Your connection to California and your experience don’t change because of where you live now. For people in other states who simply resonate with what we’re doing, we’d still like to hear from you. This movement is growing, and knowing where people are helps us understand the broader landscape. Reach out and introduce yourself.