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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

Webinar

Reforming State Policy on Sentencing and Collateral Consequences

April 19, 2016

This webinar highlighted activity in various states, ranging from scaling back three-strikes laws and modifying the lifetime ban on food assistance for people with felony drug convictions.

Related to: State Advocacy, Collateral Consequences

This webinar highlighted state activity in Delaware to scale back the state’s three-strikes law, a recent victory in Georgia modifying the lifetime ban on food assistance for persons with felony drug convictions, and Michigan efforts to address sentencing policy for violent offenses.

Presenters:

Drewry N. Fennell, Office of Delaware Governor Jack A. Markell

Elizabeth J. Appley, Attorney at Law, Georgia

Ronald Simpson-Bey, JustLeadershipUSA, Michigan

Nicole D. Porter, The Sentencing Project

Related Resources

View all resources

Policy Brief

Protect and Redirect: Best Practices for Juvenile Diversion

Diversion programs should be used judiciously, and they should be community-led with a focus on restorative justice.

By Richard Mendel on April 10, 2024

Policy Brief

Protect and Redirect: Measuring Equity and Results in Juvenile Diversion

Robust data collection and analysis are essential tools in any effort to expand and improve the use of diversion.

April 10, 2024

Policy Brief

Protect and Redirect: Effective Messaging to Promote Juvenile Diversion Reform

This brief provides recommendations for advocates on how best to understand and address the messaging challenge in order to build support for further progress expanding the use of diversion in youth justice.

By Richard Mendel on April 10, 2024