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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

Policy Brief

Parents in Prison

By Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D., Emma Stammen and Kevin Muhitch

November 17, 2021

This fact sheet provides key facts on parents in prison and policies that impede their ability to care for their children when released from prison.

Related to: Collateral Consequences, Incarceration

Overview

This fact sheet provides key facts on parents in prison and policies that impede their ability to care for their children when released from prison.

In 2016, 47% of people in state prisons and 57% in federal prisons were parents of minor children.
Most parents in prison are fathers (626,800 fathers compared to 57,700 mothers).
The number of fathers in prison increased 48% and the number of mothers in prison increased 96% between 1991 and 2016.

Related Resources

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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

Policy Brief

Protect and Redirect: How to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Diversion

This brief suggests practical steps that advocates, system leaders, and in some cases legislators can take to address disparities in diversion, including many examples where these suggested reforms are being implemented effectively.

April 18, 2024