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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

Webinar

The Historic Rise in Life Sentences in America

December 11, 2013

Ashley Nellis presented key findings from "Life Goes On: The Historic Rise of Life Sentences in America."

Related to: Sentencing Reform, Incarceration

As documented in The Sentencing Project’s report, Life Goes On: The Historic Rise in Life Sentences in America, by senior research analyst Ashley Nellis, over 159,000 people were serving life sentences in 2012, with nearly 50,000 serving life without parole. In this webinar, Dr. Nellis presented key findings from the report, including:

One of every nine individuals in prison is serving a life sentence.
Approximately 10,000 lifers have been convicted of nonviolent offenses.
Nearly half of lifers are African American and 1 in 6 are Latino.

Related Resources

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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

Policy Brief

Youth Justice by the Numbers

Between 2000-2022, there has been a 75% decline in youth incarceration. However, racial and ethnic disparities in youth incarceration and sentencing persist despite overall decrease in youth offending.

By Joshua Rovner on August 14, 2024

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