A NEW ECOSYSTEM FOR WRONGFULLY
CONVICTED INDIVIDUALS
“ We co-founded LAJ after serving nearly two decades collectively for crimes we didn’t commit.
After being released, we saw there weren’t resources, programs or systems of support that adequately addressed and reflected the true needs of our wrongfully convicted community. ”
WRONGFULLY CONVICTED INDIVIDUAL
noun • a person who is convicted of a crime they did not commit. We saw there was no ecosystem for us, so we decided to pour our lived
and learned experiences into building it.
OUR MISSION
Through lived experiences, Life After Justice is dedicated to transforming the criminal legal system through data-driven strategic litigation and providing holistic mental health support for wrongfully convicted individuals.
OUR VISION
Life After Justice will be the leader in building a pioneering ecosystem of resources to free and empower wrongfully convicted people nationwide.
93 YEARS SERVED
Our team has collectively served 93 years in prison for crimes we didn’t commit.
That’s almost a century's worth of life. Almost a century’s worth of loss.
And nearly a century’s worth of drive and purpose for doing this work.
MEET OUR TEAM
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Jarrett Adams, Esq.
President + Co-Founder
Antione Day
Vice President + Co-Founder
Obie Anthony
Board of Directors
Terrill Swift
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Tyra Patterson
Vice-Chairperson, Board of Directors
Anna Vasquez
Board of Directors
Joi Thomas Adams
Executive Director
Meghan Paulas
Secretary, Board of Directors
Rahmon Brown
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Name
Designation
Description
ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Barb Vicory
Development
Charlotte Whitmore
Legal Director
Roberta Granero Gomes
Staff Attorney + Operations Manager
Sarah Elkins
Staff Attorney
Parise King
Empowerment Resource Coach
for the Holistic Mental Health Pilot Program
Darlene Perry
Program Manager for the Holistic
Mental Health Pilot Program
Vanessa Bouche
Director of Research
Name
Designation
Description
RESEARCH FOR US
DRIVEN BY "NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US"
Our initiatives focus on researching the true needs of our community and transforming the criminal legal system to eradicate wrongful convictions.
NATIONAL SURVEY OF THE
WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
It's time to claim our narrative, to tell our story, our way.
Our National Survey of Wrongfully Convicted Individuals and their Loved Ones will be the first of its scale and depth. We can’t build our ecosystem without our full stories, so our collective experiences will shape truth-based programs and policy-driven advocacy. Our research will illuminate the needs of our wrongfully convicted community and inform our strategic planning and development of actionable items. Because ultimately, we’re aiming to redefine freedom as thriving, not merely surviving.
CORE RESEARCH TEAM
Ricky Kidd
Sean Ellis
Obie Anthony
Anna Vasquez
Name
Designation
Description
NATIONAL INCENTIVIZED INFORMANT RESEARCH PROJECT
One of the biggest contributors to wrongful convictions is incentivized informants. 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. We are conducting research to build a database of these cases that will be used to educate and inform key stakeholders on this issue.
HEALTH FOR US
We know there’s an urgent need for mental health care tailored to address the profound trauma and effects of wrongful incarceration.
We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve designed a comprehensive mental health and wellness program infused with our collective wisdom and experiences.
LAJ HOLISTIC MENTAL HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM
LAJ’s Holistic Mental Health & Wellness Empowerment Pilot Program transcends traditional approaches and demolishes the barriers to access that our community faces when seeking mental health services.
We’ve shaped it to be transformative and reflective of the needs of those it serves.
REPRESENTATION FOR US
LAJ is dedicated to transforming the criminal legal system through data-driven strategic litigation.
WAVERLY CASE
LAJ LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
As part of our commitment to fostering positive change and empowering future leaders, we are excited to welcome legal interns to our team.
We offer:
Summer Legal Internship Program
(Full-Time Position with Stipend):
Join us for a summer of impactful legal work. As a part of our team, you'll gain invaluable experience and receive a stipend to support your dedication to our shared cause.
Academic Internships Throughout the Year:
For those seeking academic internships during the school year, we also offer part-time opportunities.
Diverse Students Encouraged:
Life After Justice values the vital role diversity plays in our organization's overall success and ability to be a reflection of those we serve and our mission.
LAJ strongly encourages all students from all backgrounds, especially racial and ethnic minorities, people within the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people of non-traditional experience and educational backgrounds to apply.
To apply for an internship with us, please send your resume and a cover letter to our Internship Program Supervisor, Staff Attorney Sarah Elkins, at sarah@lifeafterjustice.org
DONATE
DONATE
JUSTICE TAKES ALL OF US
We invite you to partner with us in Justice through a variety of opportunities. We welcome your contribution of any amount that will support our mission and vision.
TO DONATE BY MAIL:
Life After Justice
4455 S. King Dr, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60653
SUPPORT,
VOLUNTEERISM
AND MORE
Our ecosystem is collaborative.
We’d love to extend our collaboration and partner with persons, corporations, foundations, or private funders who are excited to help us empower and enrich wrongfully convicted individuals. Through services, in-kind contributions and more, we welcome the opportunity to partner with you.
CONTACT US
JOIN US IN OUR MOVEMENT FOR TRANSFORMATION BY SIGNING UP BELOW
WRONGFULLY CONVICTED INDIVIDUALS
If you are a wrongfully convicted individual and want to learn more about how
Life After Justice may be able to help you, select the Sign-Up button
If you want to learn more about our research, resource needs and overall work or have any general inquiries, please use this form
