Issues

Learn about our key areas of focus to end mass incarceration and promote racial justice.

Key Issues

Racial Justice

Racial Justice

One in five Black men born in 2001 is likely to experience imprisonment within their lifetime, a decline from one in three for those born in 1981. But pushback from policymakers threatens further advancement.

Get the facts on racial disparities in the criminal legal system in our report, “One in Five: Ending Racial Inequity in Incarceration.”

Sentencing Reform

Sentencing Reform

Legislatures in 12 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have enacted “second look” judicial review policies to allow judges to review sentences after a person has served a lengthy period of time.

Voting Rights

Voting Rights

Since 1997, 26 states and the District of Columbia have expanded voting rights to people living with felony convictions. As a result, over 2 million Americans have regained the right to vote.

Youth Justice

Young girl holding skateboard and preparing for a ride

Youth Justice

Jurisdictions across the country are advancing reforms to expand and improve diversion, demonstrating diversion’s potential to transform youth justice in ways that protect public safety and enhance youth success.

Racial Justice

Sentencing Reform

Voting Rights

Youth Justice

Racial Justice

One in five Black men born in 2001 is likely to experience imprisonment within their lifetime, a decline from one in three for those born in 1981. But pushback from policymakers threatens further advancement.

Get the facts on racial disparities in the criminal legal system in our report, “One in Five: Ending Racial Inequity in Incarceration.”

Sentencing Reform

Legislatures in 12 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have enacted “second look” judicial review policies to allow judges to review sentences after a person has served a lengthy period of time.

Voting Rights

Since 1997, 26 states and the District of Columbia have expanded voting rights to people living with felony convictions. As a result, over 2 million Americans have regained the right to vote.

Young girl holding skateboard and preparing for a ride

Youth Justice

Jurisdictions across the country are advancing reforms to expand and improve diversion, demonstrating diversion’s potential to transform youth justice in ways that protect public safety and enhance youth success.

“What does it say about a society that treats some of its most victimized and vulnerable citizens with so little compassion and mercy? How do we fix such a terrible injustice?”

April Wilkens

April Wilkens Domestic Violence Advocate and Survivor

Get the Facts

Featured Fact Sheet

Media Guide: 10 Crime Coverage Dos and Don’ts

The Sentencing Project’s new media guide can help media outlets develop coverage that will better inform the public and policymakers on how to pursue the most effective and humane public safety policies.

By Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D. on July 9, 2024

Mass Incarceration Trends

Report highlights the growth in state and federal prison populations since the early 1970s, and its far reaching effect on families, communities, and society as a whole.

By Ashley Nellis, Ph.D. on May 21, 2024

Fact Sheet

Incarcerated Women and Girls

Research on female incarceration is critical to understanding the full consequences of mass incarceration and to unraveling the policies and practices that lead to their criminalization. The female incarcerated population stands almost seven times higher than in 1980.

By Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D. on July 24, 2024

Private Prisons in the United States

Twenty-seven states and the federal government incarcerated 90,873 people in private prisons in 2022, representing 8% of the total state and federal prison population.

By Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D. on February 21, 2024

Unlocking the Ballot: Using Data to Expand Voting Rights

2024 is shaping up to be a historic election year with debates over voting rights and criminal legal issues taking center stage. Too often not discussed and misunderstood is how people with justice system involvement are mobilizing to make their voices heard through civic engagement processes.

This webinar discussed how academics and advocates are using data and research to advance voting rights campaigns.

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