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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.
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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 from Josh Rovner to Maryland Senate Judiciary Committee on Youth Justice Reform

February 9, 2024

The Sentencing Project's Josh Rovner testified before the Maryland Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition SB 744, a bill that would roll back evidence-based recommendations for reform, limit the use of diversion, and negatively impact youth well-being.

Related to: Youth Justice

Maryland’s SB 744 would reverse evidence-based recommendations from the Juvenile Justice Reform Council and widen the net for system involvement.

The Sentencing Project’s Josh Rovner submitted testimony before the Maryland Senate Committee on the Judiciary in opposition of the bill, highlighting the negative impact the legislation will have on the state’s youth, especially youth of color.

Read Josh’s full testimony here.

Related Resources

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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

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 18, 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 18, 2024