Civil Survival centers the voices of those most impacted by incarceration.
Who We Are
Founded in 2015, Civil Survival organizes people in the state of Washington who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to build connections, gain knowledge and increase political participation.
Our work promotes successful family and community reintegration for people who are being released from incarceration by removing the many financial, political, and legal barriers to reentry. Nearly one in four people in Washington State have been involved in the criminal justice system. Civil Survival is working to improve their chances of becoming productive members of their communities by removing some of the many collateral consequences of mass incarceration.
What Makes Us Unique
At Civil Survival, we don’t just talk about justice—we have survived its failures. Most of our team has been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, and we center that experience in all aspects of our work. We believe that real solutions come from real experience.
Our team brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and lived experience. From directly impacted legal advocates dismantling barriers, to leaders who have returned home and are reimagining policy and practice, we unite our knowledge to drive systemic change. Together, we organize, provide legal representation, reentry support, and advocate for policies that restore opportunity and equity.
What makes Civil Survival unique is our commitment to community. We don’t just help people survive, we help them thrive in a community where they are not defined by their past, but valued for their humanity.