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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

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

June 11, 2024

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

Related to: Youth Justice

The Sentencing Project submitted a letter to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper that voiced opposition to HB 834. In 2019, North Carolina made the appropriate and evidence-based decision to pass “Raise the Age” legislation to join almost every other state and start most cases for 16 and 17-year-olds in the state’s juvenile courts. HB 834 would roll back these critical reforms, harming youth and public safety. This proposed legislation would again allow the state to automatically charge 16 and 17-year-olds as adults for a wide range of felony offenses.

Read the full letter here.

Related Resources

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Fact Sheet

Baltimore’s Youth Justice by the Numbers

Based on data by the Baltimore Police Department, youth arrests have not only decreased significantly, but the proportion of youth involved in total arrests has also diminished.

By Joshua Rovner on October 1, 2024

Newsletter

Building Momentum for Reform

In 2024, we look forward to discussing best practices to protect community safety and boost youth success, and strategizing with our partners on ways to win in upcoming legislative sessions.

August 22, 2024

Press Release

Youth Incarceration Declined 75% Between 2000 and 2022

A new report from The Sentencing Project finds an overall decrease in youth offending, but racial and ethnic disparities in youth incarceration and sentencing persist.

August 14, 2024