Advocacy
Toolkit for Fighting Mass Incarceration in the 119th Congress
Explore our new federal advocacy toolkit, where you’ll find key legislative priorities for the 119th Congress across our campaigns to 1) end extreme sentencing, 2) expand voting rights, and 3) promote youth justice.
Campaign to End Extreme Sentences
The Sentencing Project supports advocacy efforts in at least six jurisdictions – including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island – to advance sentencing reforms that promote community safety and reduce ineffective overreliance on incarceration. Campaign activities include coalition leadership, public event coordination, inside/out strategy support, strategic communications, and tailored research and data analysis.
Legal Advocacy
The Sentencing Project’s research helps drive sentencing reform in the courts. Our research is regularly cited in litigation striving to end extreme sentencing and we partner with leading impact litigation organizations to file strategic amicus briefs.
Racial Justice Fund Grants
In response to the murder of George Floyd, The Sentencing Project established a Racial Justice Fund (RJF) to support our state advocacy partners. Since 2021, we have funded 47 grants to grassroots organizations across 23 jurisdictions. These targeted grants provide our partners with the support needed to build their capacity and increase the scope of their impact.
State Wins
Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Emerging Adult Sentencing Reform
Mario Monteiro, who has been imprisoned since age 17 and has already served 20 years, has gained the right to a meaningful opportunity for parole thanks to a recent Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling. The Sentencing Project joined with the Juvenile Law Center, the Gault Center, the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Prison Policy Initiative in submitting an amicus brief in support of parole review at 20 years.
Commentary by The Sentencing Project
Make the Second Look Act a key part of prison reforms
Youth justice reform is a path to safer communities
Maryland lawmakers worsened criminal justice in three ways this year
Join the Movement
The Sentencing Project and a coalition of advocates, experts, and partners launched a public education campaign, 50 Years and a Wake Up: Ending The Mass Incarceration Crisis In America. The campaign raises awareness about the dire state of the criminal legal system in the country, the devastating impact of incarceration on communities and families, and proposes more effective crime prevention strategies for our country.
