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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

Fact Sheet

New National Poll shows Majority Favor Guaranteed Right to Vote for All

August 18, 2022

Voters in the United States are ready for all citizens of this country to be eligible to vote, no matter their relationship with the criminal justice system.

Related to: Voting Rights

A recently conducted national survey by Lake Research Partners on behalf of State Innovation Exchange, Stand Up America, The Sentencing Project, and Common Cause reveals over half of voters support the full restoration of voting rights to all citizens over the age of 18, including those completing a sentence, both inside and outside of prison. Even when the term “felony convictions” is added to the proposal, a majority of voters still support expanding voting rights to justice-impacted citizens.

Click to read the Memo on Guaranteed Right to Vote and the Analysis of Survey Findings.

Related Resources

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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

Press Release

Maryland Lawmakers Fail to Pass Voter Reg. for Returning Citizens

The Maryland Senate failed to pass a bill that would have guaranteed access to voter registration and the ballot for justice-impacted residents by expanding automatic voter registration policies to include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

April 17, 2024

Press Release

State Legislators and Advocates Urge Restoration of Voting Rights to Residents with Felonies

The Sentencing Project’s newest brief on Massachusetts voting rights laws expose racial inequality in the state criminal-legal system.

January 29, 2024