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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

Fact Sheet

New York Should Restore Voting Rights to Over 36,000 Citizens

By Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D., Emma Stammen and Whitney Threadcraft, Ph.D.

January 10, 2023

New York should follow the lead of Maine, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC and extend voting rights to all people affected by the criminal legal system, regardless of their current incarceration status.

Related to: Voting Rights, Racial Justice, State Advocacy

New York denies the right to vote to 36,553 citizens because they are completing felony sentences in prisons and jails across the state. New York prohibits more of its citizens from voting due to a felony conviction than 30 other states. Half of disenfranchised New Yorkers are Black and 24% are Latinx. To ameliorate this racial injustice and protect its democratic values, New York lawmakers should follow the lead of Maine, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. and extend voting rights to all citizens.

Click here to read the fact sheet.

Related Resources

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Press Release

Mixed Ballot Measure Results Constrain Criminal Legal Reform Nationwide

Voters across the country made pivotal decisions on a range of criminal legal issues.

November 13, 2024

Policy Brief

Voting Rights in the Era of Mass Incarceration: A Primer

As of 2024, 4 million Americans were prohibited from voting due to laws that disenfranchise citizens convicted of felony offenses. Voting rights vary by state, which result in a wide range of disenfranchisement policies.

By Nicole D. Porter and Jean Chung on November 1, 2024

Press Release

Nebraska Supreme Court Upholds Law Restoring Voting Rights to Thousands

Today, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the legality of Legislative Bill 20, which restores voting rights to Nebraskans who were formerly incarcerated and lost their right to vote upon their conviction, removing the two-year waiting period instituted by LB 53.

October 16, 2024