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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 of Nazgol Ghandnoosh on Washington,DC’s Criminal Code Reform Commission

By Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D.

June 17, 2025

The Council of the District of Columbia should safeguard the Criminal Code Reform Commission, which plays a critical role in moving DC towards an informed, well-researched, and evidence-based lawmaking process.

Related to: Sentencing Reform

The Criminal Code Reform Commission has amassed a level of expertise into sentencing that no other DC government agency, or private-sector organization, offers. The Commission strengthens DC lawmaking and helps advance the cause of justice, equity, and autonomy. For the third year in a row, The Sentencing Project urges the DC Council to reject the mayor’s proposal to defund the Commission and to protect the institutional expertise of the Commission.

Read the full testimony here.

Related Resources

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Testimony

The Sentencing Project Urges Congress to Rescind Funds for FCI Letcher

The Sentencing Project submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies urging Congress to rescind funding for a proposed fourth federal prison in rural Eastern Kentucky.

June 12, 2025

Testimony

Testimony in Support of Restoring Voting Rights to People in Massachusetts Prisons and Jails

Nicole D. Porter testified in support of H 63 and S 7, legislation that would guarantee voting rights for all persons completing their sentence inside Massachusetts prisons and jails regardless of their crime of conviction.

By Nicole D. Porter on April 1, 2025

Testimony

Testimony in Support of the Maryland Second Look Act

The Sentencing Project supports House Bill 853 and recommends an amendment that authorizes all persons who served at least 20 years to request a sentence reduction.

By Warren Allen on March 21, 2025