Over 2,000 Floridians are serving life sentences for crimes they committed as children. Many entered the system as teenagers — some as young as 13 — and have spent 20 to 30 years behind bars with no programs specifically designed for their needs.

The law has changed. Florida Statutes §§ 921.1401 & 921.1402 now give these individuals the opportunity for judicial review and possible release. But walking out of prison after three decades without guidance, job skills, housing, or support is a path that leads right back.

The Juveniles with Life (JwL) Initiative — a program of Second Chance Collective — was created to bridge that gap. Launched at Tomoka Correctional Institution in 2026, JwL provides trauma-informed rehabilitation, vocational training, cognitive behavioral therapy, transitional housing, and mentorship — everything this population needs to prove their rehabilitation and successfully reenter society.

"Florida's courts are watching. When these men stand before a judge, they must prove they are ready. We are building the evidence — the credentials, the plans, the growth — that makes that case undeniable. Help us show the state that these individuals are worth freeing, and that they have everything they need to not just survive on the outside, but truly thrive."

"We believe in the power of second chances. Children who commit serious crimes can mature and change — with the right guidance." — Jesse Demers, CEO, Second Chance Collective

Juveniles With Life