LIFE (Life Intervention for Exonerees) was founded by Herman and Machara Atkins for the purpose of assisting in the immediate needs of newly released men and women from prison who were wrongfully convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. Herman Atkins served over 11 years in California prison for a rape he didn’t commit before DNA testing proved his innocence and led to his exoneration in 2000.

We acknowledge that after an exoneree is released from prison he or she is not given anything from the failed justice system that incarnated them in the first place thus, left to deal with the aftermath of entering society and functioning the best way he or she can.

LIFE will present newly released exonerees with Gift Cards to purchase basic necessities such as hygiene products and clothing upon their release. We believe that LIFE’s efforts to assist newly released exonerees in this capacity will help in the many steps needed to be taken by exonerees to acclimate themselves back into society.

Contributions to LIFE are welcomed and appreciated. Donations will be used exclusively for charitable purposes and may be claimed as a tax deduction. Please make checks payable to LIFE, Inc. or mail donations to LIFE, P.O. Box 9623, Fresno, CA 93793.