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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

Testimony

Testimony in Support of Maryland Bill to End Automatic Transfer of Youth to Adult Court

By Joshua Rovner

January 26, 2022

The Sentencing Project offered expert testimony in support of Maryland's SB165, a bill to end the automatic charging of Maryland’s youth as if they were adults.

Related to: Youth Justice, State Advocacy

Maryland is considering legislation SB165, a bill to end the automatic charging of Maryland’s youth as if they were adults. The Sentencing Project supports this bill for three reasons:

Charging youth as if they were adults harms public safety.
Starting all cases in juvenile court is more sensible and efficient than current practice.
Maryland’s automatic transfer law is unusually harsh and unjust.

Click here to read Senior Advocacy Associate Josh Rovner’s full testimony in support of Maryland’s SB165.

Related Resources

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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

Press Release

Criminal Legal Reform Advocates Host Day Of Empathy at Vermont Statehouse

Supporters push for a “second look” at extreme sentences

March 11, 2024