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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

Testimony

California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans

By Nicole D. Porter

March 30, 2022

Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy, testified before the California's Reparations Task Force on the Criminal Justice Panel.

Related to: Racial Justice, State Advocacy

Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy, testified before the California’s Reparations Task Force on the Criminal Justice Panel. Porter addressed how the persistence of extremely punitive sentencing laws and policies, not increases in crime rates, sustain the nation’s high rate of incarceration. California is uniquely positioned to address the harms of mass incarceration by continuing sentencing reforms, decommissioning prisons and directing public monies to community reinvestment and social services targeted to reduce contact with the criminal legal system in the first place.

Click here to read the full testimony.

Related Resources

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Publication

Still Cruel and Unusual: Extreme Sentences for Youth and Emerging Adults

Despite a wave of reforms across America that reduce the use of juvenile life without parole sentences, thousands of youth and emerging adults have been left behind even though their sentences are essentially the same.

By Ashley Nellis, Ph.D. and Devyn Brown on August 8, 2024

Fact Sheet

Nebraska Should Restore Voting Rights to Over 10,000 Citizens

Over 10,000 of Nebraska’s citizens are banned from voting because they are incarcerated for a felony, on felony probation, or released on parole.

By Rachel Jollie and Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D. on July 11, 2024

Newsletter

Racial Justice Fund: 2023 Impact Report

In 2021, The Sentencing Project established its Racial Justice Fund (RJF) to support state advocacy partners. These targeted grants provide our partners with the support needed to build their capacity and increase the scope of their impact.

June 1, 2024