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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

A Second Look at Injustice: Growing Momentum for Reform

June 2, 2021

The Sentencing Project hosted a webinar that discussed the latest research and advocacy around second look reforms.

Related to: Incarceration, Racial Justice, State Advocacy, Sentencing Reform

The Sentencing Project hosted a webinar discussing the latest research and advocacy around second look reforms. Panelists highlighted California’s prosecutor-initiated sentencing reviews, DC’s Second Look Amendment Act—impacting up to 29% of its imprisoned population, and the campaign for an Elder Parole bill in New York State.

Panelists:

Charles Allen, Chair, D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety

Hillary Blout, Director, For the People

Joel Castón, Co-Founder, Young Men Emerging Unit at the D.C. Jail

José Saldaña, Director, Release Aging People in Prison

Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Senior Research Analyst, The Sentencing Project

Related Resources

View all resources

Webinar

One in Five: Ending Mass Incarceration and its Racial Disparities

The Sentencing Project, Berkeley School of Theology, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation co-hosted a webinar examining the progress made in the 21st century in reducing the U.S. prison population and its racial and ethnic disparities, as well as the ongoing work to achieve justice.

February 29, 2024

Webinar

Reducing Youth Incarceration: What Works?

Over the past 15 months, The Sentencing Project has published a series of reports showing why it's important for America's youth justice systems to reduce incarceration and how to safely reduce the number of young people confined.

January 23, 2024

Webinar

Why Are We Incarcerating Domestic Violence Survivors?

This webinar reflects on how the growth of mass incarceration drives the criminalization of survivors of domestic violence.

October 25, 2023