Do I Have the Right to Feel Safe?

"Holistic safety is the cornerstone to advancing a more stable, healthy, and meaningful response to correctional systems – and why they are called that in the first place. If you are not pursuing or investing in responsive, data supported correctional practices in a structural or comprehensive manner, you are arguably in the business of incapacitation. This document provides some meaningful examples to illustrate that there are other ways to advance our obligations to enhance public safety with an eye towards a more dignified and humane approach. We must always remain cognizant of both internal and external stakeholders in a transparent, responsible manner and with empathy.​"

Scott Semple, FORMER COMMISSIONER OF THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION; SENIOR EXPERT AT FALCON, INC. ​

"The fate of people connected to the corrections system – those who live there, those who work there, and those who love and care for them – are inextricably linked. It’s amazing to see someone seek to build off the strengths created by this symbiosis rather than accentuating the differences. Clearly this is the only path to holistic safety.​"

JOHN WETZEL, FORMER SECRETARY OF CORRECTIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; CEO OF PHRONEMA JUSTICE STRATEGIES

"As the criminal justice system continues to evolve, it is crucial that we include the voices, perspectives, and experiences of officers, staff, and their unions, so we don’t miss out on the important insights they have to offer. We have an opportunity to learn from, rather than split apart, the two most impacted stakeholders – those who live and those who work in our nation’s correctional institutions – whose futures are inextricably linked. A vision of holistic safety that is informed by staff, incorporates staff wellness, and also does not infringe upon security is absolutely a step in the right direction toward much needed transformation. It goes without saying that unless we support staff who are struggling with depression and trauma, there is no way they will be willing or able to be effective agents of change inside the system. The practical reality is that without them, we will be hard pressed to see any meaningful progress take root. Holistic safety requires holistic stakeholder engagement.​"

ANDY POTTER, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ONE VOICE UNITED

"Unlike many of our oppressors, we are not immune to the mass incarceration system's impact on all involved parties. To dismantle this failing system, we must understand all its victims. This includes the current and formerly incarcerated and their families, communities, and those responsible for their often-unsatisfactory care. The Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM) uplifts the Holistic Safety Framework created in collaboration with formerly incarcerated activists. We are proud to continue supporting their work in our shared journey towards abolishing prison as punishment.​"

Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement

"The Holistic Safety Framework is spot on – recognizing that true reforms must emerge from communities, from incarcerated people, and from correctional staff for them to stand a chance of taking hold and being durable. It also rightly points out that multi-directional trust must be the foundation for the Framework, something that is in short supply in many jails and prisons. Adopting the Framework, along with reducing the massive number of people we incarcerate, would go a long way towards healing the damage prevalent in so many U.S. correctional institutions.​"

VINCENT SCHIRALDI, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

"I love the idea of holistic safety. In order for us to improve our cultures and conditions in probation, parole, and in our facilities, we must look at all of it. Each of us, people that are incarcerated, people on supervision, and people who work in this field have a responsibility to be better. We must provide opportunities for people to change and create environments that foster trust, care, and concern for all."

KEVIN KEMPF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CORRECTIONAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION; FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

"The individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime do not benefit from a correctional system that only seeks retribution. If we want to support the safety of survivors, we must listen to the call for rehabilitation. The National Center for Victims of Crime believes holistic safety and its focus on empowerment of people with lived experience is the path forward to making communities stronger and more resilient in the face of crime, especially when so many people confined and working inside the system are survivors of crime themselves.​"

NATIONAL CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME