When a family first enters a participatory defense meeting, the refrain we say to them is that though the system intends to give your loved one “time served” – time incarcerated and away, you can turn “time served” into “time saved.” Through Participatory Defense, you can bring your loved one home.

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The Time Saved Series shares the incredible stories of families and communities who when faced with the possible incarceration of a loved one -- stepped up, challenged the prosecutor, judge, and the court system -- and saved them from being caged. Through their persistence, strength, and courage they get charges dropped, stop prison sentences and deportations -- and keep their community together. The series is produced by Silicon Valley De-Bug and the National Participatory Defense Network. From TIME SERVED to TIME SAVED - these are their stories. 

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Every year, the National Participatory Defense Network gathers our 'time saved' numbers. Sometimes these journeys take a few months, and sometimes it's years.  But they mean loved ones home and in school, work, or community, families reunited, and communities on the road to becoming whole. 

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This video highlights some of the 'time saved' stories from the National Participatory Defense Network during the pandemic.

 

Together, we have saved 25,869 years of incarceration as January 2023.