We believe it is important to reframe the conversation around crime survivors and what they want from the criminal justice system. For too long, prosecutors, legislators, and other stakeholders have ignored the voices and experiences of people most impacted by crime and violence. We have seen the exploitation of crime survivors by those who believe locking people up in prison and throwing away the key is the only solution to crime and violence.

The truth is that most incarcerated people experienced victimization themselves, either prior to or during their incarceration, and their families and communities are often highly impacted by crime and violence. People directly impacted by incarceration (either their own incarceration or the incarceration of a loved one) are not a separate population from crime survivors; these are often the same population and their pain and experiences matter. Maybe crime survivors prefer rehabilitation over retribution, or alternatives to incarceration. This survey is our first step in uncovering the best solutions to crime and violence, according to those who are most impacted by them.