What’s New
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Seven facts about mass incarceration that sound like April Fools’ Day hoaxes, but aren’t
Fines for suicide attempts, prisons built near toxic wastelands, the overwhelming number of people in the system…it’s hard to believe, but it’s true.
April 1: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Resource spotlight: UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project leads the way in prison mortality statistics
There is less transparency about prison deaths than ever before. A new central resource aims to bring carceral mortality data out of the shadows.
March 24: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Mass incarceration is on the ballot
by Prison Policy Initiative
March 24: Research Library: Public opinion
Featured report
Eligible, but excluded: A guide to removing the barriers to jail voting
Most of the 746,000 people incarcerated in jails can vote, but nearly-insurmountable barriers prevent them from doing so. In this report with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.'s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, we provide a concise guide to understanding which people in jail in every state are eligible to vote (including a handy flowchart and 50-state table), and explain how advocates and elected officials can bring down the logistical barriers that prevent people in jail from having their votes counted.
Mass incarceration, state by state
Learn about the national prison crisis and how we can begin to turn the tide on mass incarceration. Then, drill down to your state. Be sure to also check out our pages focused on D.C., and the incarceration of Native people.
If our work is new to you, you might want to check out our 2023-2024 annual report.
Recommended Reading:
Why are calls from prisons and jails so expensive?
We look at the progress in the fight for phone justice and what comes next.
Research Library
We curate a searchable database of 4,000+ original research reports, organizing each entry by topic and adding brief summaries.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie
The U.S. incarcerates nearly 2 million people. Where are they locked up and why? Read our report.
Bad Behavior
This national report explains how prison disciplinary policies manufacture misconduct and severly punish incarcerated people.
Events
- April 15-17, 2025:
Sarah Staudt, our Director of Policy and Advocacy, will be attending the MacArthur Safety and Justice Challenge Network Meeting from April 15-17 in Chicago. Drop her a line if you’d like to meet up!
Not near you?
Invite us to your city, college or organization.