What’s New
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New report, Parole in Perspective, shines a light on how parole boards work and how parole decisions are made in 35 states
Despite their differences, all discretionary parole systems have serious design flaws and most are steadily releasing fewer people, a new report shows.
October 7: Press releases
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Federal Census policy breaks Texas’s democracy — state lawmakers can fix it
Texas’s redistricting data was once again skewed after the 2020 Census; the state needs to take action to fix the issue for 2030.
September 30: Prisoners of the Census Blog
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Federal Census policy breaks Vermont’s democracy — state lawmakers can fix it
Vermont’s redistricting data was once again skewed after the 2020 Census; the state needs to take action to fix the issue for 2030
September 24: Prisoners of the Census Blog
Featured report
Parole in Perspective: A deep dive into discretionary parole systems
Parole, a release mechanism that could significantly reduce the number of people behind bars, has reached a moment of reckoning. Dysfunctional in some states and banned in others, parole looks very different from state to state. But parole is a system worth having, if states can implement it fairly and broadly.
In this two-part report, Parole in Perspective, we take a deep dive into these systems, providing the most accessible and comprehensive look at how they operate, and what can be done to make them real tools for decarceration.
- In part 1, we examine the composition of these boards and how their hearings work.
- In part 2, we look at parole grant rates and the decisionmaking guidelines and realities that lead to those rates.
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:
Tracking Trump's criminal legal system moves
The Administration is making America's criminal legal system harsher, less effective, and even more unjust.
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
- October 8, 2025:
Prison Policy Initiative, MacArthur Justice Center, and Latino Justice will host a webinar to discuss ways to reshape parole practices to center fairness, dignity, and second chances. The webinar will be on October 8th at 3 p.m. Eastern. Register here
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