news
March 30, 2018
Race & Justice News: Jackson, MS to Stop Releasing Mug Shots of People Shot by Police
"The last image of any person should not be on the worst day of their life," said Jackson Mayor. Learn more in Race & Justice News.
publications
March 29, 2018
The Sentencing Project Releases its 2017 Annual Report
Learn more about how our research and analysis in 2017 played a major role in shaping the policy debate around criminal justice reform.
Kemba Smith
At 24 years old, Kemba Smith was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison for conspiracy to participate in her boyfriend's drug activities, a non-violent, first-time offense. For years, her parents galvanized a tireless movement seeking clemency for their daughter.
news
March 28, 2018
Punitive responses to gang violence are not effective
Residents of the communities that experience gang crime want it to stop, and there are better ways to make that happen than sending more people to prison for ever longer sentences.
publications
March 27, 2018
National coalition rejects death penalty and increased penalties for drug offenses
Sixty-two faith, civil rights, treatment and legal organizations condemn accelerating the use of the death penalty and urge the Trump Administration to support proven public health strategies to end the opioid crisis, reduce problematic drug use and save lives.
Kimberly Haven
Kimberly Haven’s journey as an advocate began when she sought to regain her own voting rights after release from a Maryland prison in 2001. She soon became passionate about the unfairness of disenfranchising citizens after they have completed their sentence and returned to the community.
news
March 26, 2018
State Advocacy News: Challenging mass incarceration
Efforts are underway to expand voting rights, recalibrate life prison terms, and counter efforts to enhance penalties
news
February 28, 2018
Race & Justice News: As Cities Become Safer, Racial Disparities Decrease
Report finds that as the rate of violent crime decreased in U.S. cities, other societal conditions have improved; Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego apply marijuana reforms retroactively; and more in Race & Justice News.
Denver Schimming
As a previously incarcerated person who had his voting rights restored in 1996, Denver Schimming knew the power and importance of voting. His years in prison taught him that the criminal justice system could change only if impacted people spoke out. After his incarceration, voting was one of his highest priorities.
news
February 26, 2018
Disenfranchisement News: Judge rules Florida's rights restoration process is unconstitutional
Judge says elected, partisan officials have extraordinary authority to grant or withhold the right to vote from hundreds of thousands of people without any constraints, guidelines, or standards.
news
February 23, 2018
Justice reform advocates continue legacy of civil rights movement
In honor of Black History Month, The Sentencing Project is shining a spotlight on some of our valued colleagues working to address racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
Lawrence and Lamont Garrison
Sentences for federal drug crimes are based on the quantity of the drugs involved, not the individual’s role in the crime. The emphasis on quantity rather than the role of the offender, along with the conspiracy laws, too often result in disproportionate sentencing, even for first-time offenses such as the Garrisons’.
publications
February 13, 2018
Felony Disenfranchisement in Mississippi
In Mississippi, nearly 1 of every 10 adults is disenfranchised due to a felony conviction—more than triple the national rate.
publications
February 06, 2018
Letter in support of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act
As the Judiciary Committee prepares to consider the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act this month, The Sentencing Project writes to offer its endorsement of the bill’s passage.
Willie Mays Aikens
In 2008, Willie Mays Aikens made headlines when a federal judge reduced his lengthy prison term to 14 years as a result of the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s adjustment to the crack cocaine sentencing guidelines. Aikens was released in June 2008.
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