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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

Advocacy Letter

Comment Proposing Priorities for the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s 2024-2025 Guideline Amendment Cycle

July 15, 2024

The Sentencing Project submitted a comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission proposing priorities for the 2024-2025 Guidelines amendment cycle.

Related to: Federal Advocacy

The Sentencing Project submitted a comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission proposing priorities for the 2024-2025 Guidelines amendment cycle. The comment urges the Commission to reform drug sentencing practices, revisit the impact of youthful offenses on criminal history scores, and reduce life sentences, among other topics.

Read the full letter here.

Related Resources

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Advocacy Letter

Letter to Pennsylvania Committee on the Judiciary in Support of Bill to Consider Adolescent Brain Development in Sentencing for People Under Age 25

HB 1689 would require consideration of adolescent brain development in findings of culpability and in sentencing for young people who were under the age of 25 at the time of the alleged offense.

June 13, 2024

Advocacy Letter

Letter to North Carolina Governor Opposing Rollback of Raise the Age Legislation

Proposed legislation would again allow North Carolina to automatically charge 16 and 17-year-olds as adults for a wide range of felony offenses.

June 11, 2024

Advocacy Letter

Comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission Regarding Youthful Individuals

The Sentencing Project submitted comments to the U.S. Sentencing Commission on proposed changes to the federal sentencing guidelines concerning the impact of criminal histories below the age 18 and how an individual’s age should be considered at sentencing.

February 22, 2024