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Issues

Learn about our key areas of focus to end mass incarceration and promote racial justice.
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Racial Justice

Ending mass incarceration must include combating racial inequality and disparity.

Sentencing Reform

It's time to take a second look at extreme sentences.

Voting Rights

The criminal justice system shouldn't have a say in our democracy.

Youth Justice

We must end youth incarceration and provide all youth with the support they need to thrive.
Featured Campaign

Second Look Network

Ending mass incarceration requires taking a second look at extreme sentences. Learn more about our coalition of legal professionals providing direct representation to incarcerated individuals seeking relief from lengthy or unfair sentences.
Advocacy

The Sentencing Project is a leading voice for criminal legal reform.
Advocacy overview
Our Work

Explore our work at the national, state, and local level to promote a fair and effective criminal legal system.

Second Look Network

The Network serves, connects, and empowers legal advocates across the country to bring people serving excessive and unfair prison sentences home.

Get Involved

Changing laws and policies to end mass incarceration require a mass movement. Here are ways you can take action.
Featured Campaign

50 Years and a Wake Up

This year marks the 50th year since the U.S. prison population began its unprecedented surge. Partner with us to end mass incarceration!
Research

Explore our publications, fact sheets, data & more.
Overview
Growth in Mass Incarceration

The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration. Get the facts and statistics on trends in U.S. incarceration.

U.S. Criminal Justice Data

View state-level data to provide a snapshot of key indicators of mass incarceration's impact in the United States

Detailed Data Tool

Compare state-level incarceration data for youth and adults with this expanded data set

Resource Library

Search important resources published by The Sentencing Project, including research publications, advocacy briefs, webinars, and more
Featured Publication

One in Five

One in five Black men born in 2001 is likely to experience imprisonment within their lifetime. Our four-part “One in Five” series examines racial inequities in America’s criminal legal system, as well as highlights promising reforms.
- Glossary of Criminal Justice Terms

Advocacy Letter

Letter to Justice Department on Appointment of Bureau of Prisons Director

By Amy Fettig

February 14, 2022

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, The Sentencing Project urges the Department of Justice to hire a new Bureau of Prisons Director who is capable of and committed to leading the Bureau through systemic reform.

Related to: Incarceration, Sentencing Reform, COVID-19, Federal Advocacy

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, The Sentencing Project urges the Department of Justice to embrace the opportunity to hire a new Bureau of Prisons Director by appointing a bold and proven leader with a more humane vision for the Bureau and provide them with the tools and partnership they need to realize that vision.

Click here to download the letter.

Related Resources

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Press Release

The Sentencing Project Applauds President Biden’s CARES Act Clemency

President Biden announced that he was commuting the sentences of nearly 1500 individuals placed on home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic who had successfully reintegrated into the community, as well as pardoning 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes.

December 12, 2024

Press Release

The Sentencing Project Applauds the Reintroduction of Second Look Legislation

The Second Look Act has the potential to dramatically decrease the federal prison population, which has grown from 25,000 imprisoned people in 1980 to nearly 158,000 today.

November 21, 2024

Press Release

The Sentencing Project Condemns White House Fentanyl Analogue and Xylazine Scheduling Proposal

Today, the White House released a statement and factsheet calling for all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) to be permanently placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and for xylazine to be placed on Schedule III of the CSA, among other proposals.

July 31, 2024