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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.
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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.
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The Sentencing Project is a leading voice for criminal legal reform.
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Second Look Network

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

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

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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

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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

Amicus Brief

Amicus Brief in Support of Ending Felony Murder LWOP Sentences in Pennsylvania

October 29, 2021

In Pennsylvania, some 1,100 people are serving life-without-parole (LWOP) sentences despite never having intended to take a life. Pennsylvania is one of just six states that mandate LWOP for all individuals convicted of felony murder.

Related to: Sentencing Reform

In Pennsylvania, some 1,100 people are serving life-without-parole (LWOP) sentences despite never having intended to take a life. Pennsylvania is one of just six states that mandate LWOP for all individuals convicted of felony murder. This lifetime ban on parole eligibility, which effectively guarantees a person will die in prison, categorically violates the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause of the Eighth Amendment and the Cruel Punishments Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The Sentencing Project submitted the below amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on behalf of Marie Scott, Normita Jackson, Marsha Scaggs, and Tyreem Rivers.

We thank our legal counsel Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, the Andy and Gwen Stern Community Lawyering Clinic at Drexel University School of Law, and the International Human Rights Law Clinic at UC Berkeley School of Law.

Click here to read the amicus brief.

For an updated statutory analysis see our report, Felony Murder: An On-Ramp for Extreme Sentencing.

Related Resources

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Press Release

Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition Praises the Oklahoma House For Nearly Unanimous Passage of the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act

Oklahoma Survivors’ Act will head to Gov. Kevin Stitt for signature.

April 17, 2024

Fact Sheet

Second Look Laws Are an Effective Solution to Reconsider Extreme Sentences Amidst Failing Parole Systems

Maryland incarcerates approximately 15,000 people in its state prisons, of which 21% are age 51 or older. The overuse of extreme sentences, limited mechanisms for reviewing these sentences, and ineffectual parole systems have resulted in a large number of aging people with no meaningful process for release.

March 21, 2024

Testimony

Testimony on Michigan’s Second Look Sentencing Act

Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D. submitted testimony before the Michigan House Criminal Justice Committee in support of the Second Look Sentencing Act.

March 15, 2024