Skip to main content Donate

Issues

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

Amicus Brief

Amicus brief urging Pennsylvania Supreme Court to end mandatory life without parole for felony murder

July 13, 2023

The Sentencing Project joined a brief urging the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to find mandatory life without parole for felony murder unconstitutional.

Related to: Sentencing Reform, Incarceration

“Felony murder” is a controversial legal doctrine that allows someone to be convicted of murder if they participated in a felony even if they did not kill or intend to kill someone. Pennsylvania has one of the harshest “felony murder” laws in the country, with over 1100 people serving life without parole for “felony murder.” Most are people of color. The Sentencing Project joined a brief urging the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to find mandatory life without parole for felony murder unconstitutional.

Read the amicus brief.

Related Resources

View all resources

Fact Sheet

California Should Restore Voting Rights to Over 97,00 Citizens

More than 97,000 California citizens cannot vote while serving a prison term for a felony conviction in any state, federal, or local facility.

By Rachel Jollie and Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D. on April 25, 2024

Newsletter

Nebraska restored voting rights to over 7,000 people with felony convictions.

Legislative Bill 20 allows Nebraskans to register to vote upon completion of their felony prison or probation sentence.

April 19, 2024

Press Release

Groups Applaud Nebraska Lawmakers’ Elimination of Post Sentence Voting Rights Ban

Nebraska lawmakers approved Legislative Bill 20 - which eliminates the two year period eligible residents who complete felony sentences must wait before registering to vote. The bill restores voting rights to over 7,000 Nebraskans.

April 18, 2024