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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.
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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.
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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

Amicus Brief

Amicus Brief in Support of Ending Felony Murder Rule In Massachusetts

April 14, 2023

The Sentencing Project joined other leading organizations in urging the Massachusetts Supreme Court to abolish or severely limit the felony murder rule.

Related to: Sentencing Reform, State Advocacy, Racial Justice

The felony murder doctrine results in extreme sentences that are disproportionate, unconstitutionally cruel, arbitrary, and often racially biased. The Sentencing Project joined the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, the Felony Murder Elimination Project, the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls in urging the Massachusetts Supreme Court to abolish or severely limit the felony murder rule.

Read the amicus brief.

Related Resources

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Amicus Brief

Amicus Brief Challenging Mandatory Life Without Parole for Felony Murder in Florida

The Sentencing Project joined an amicus brief urging the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to find Florida's law imposing mandatory life without parole for felony murder on an individual who neither caused nor intended to cause a death unconstitutional.

August 8, 2024

Amicus Brief

Amicus Brief Urging Pennsylvania Supreme Court to End Mandatory Life Without Parole for Felony Murder

The Sentencing Project joined an amicus brief urging the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to find mandatory life without parole for felony murder unconstitutional.

April 26, 2024

Amicus Brief

Amicus brief urging Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to abolish mandatory LWOP for felony murder

The Sentencing Project joined a brief urging the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to find mandatory life without parole for felony murder unconstitutional.

January 25, 2024