What’s New
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Advocates warn Census Bureau about fatal flaws in proposed new residence criteria
The Census Bureau proposes a major rewrite of residence criteria across the board, ensuring an inaccurate 2030 Census. We oppose the proposal to keep counting incarcerated people at a facility instead of at home, and highlight the additional flaws with the proposed new language.
November 5: Prisoners of the Census Blog
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A state-by-state analysis of legislative frameworks for mental health programming in correctional facilities
by Jennifer Wyatt Bourgeois, Dragana Derlic, & Stuti S. Kokkalera
November 3: Research Library: Mental health
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Breaking ICE: Most bans on ICE collaboration don’t go far enough. Here’s how to make them stronger
State and local governments play a critical role in the detention and deportation machinery. Here’s how advocates can make bans on 287(g) agreements more effective and place additional limits on ICE overreach.
October 15: Briefings
Featured report
Arrest, Release, Repeat: How police and jails are used to respond to social problems
How many people go to county jails every year, and how many times do they go? These basic data points — essential to understanding whether counties are using police and jails properly — weren't available until now. In our report, we break down the number of people booked in jail every year, including how many return multiple times. We go on to analyze the demographic characteristics of people who go to jail, including rates of poverty, access to health care, and race. Lastly, we present policy recommendations for counties hoping to change how their jails are used.
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.
Select your state:
If our work is new to you, you might want to check out our 2025-2026 annual report.
Recommended Reading:
The unmet health needs of people in prison
States fall far short of their duty to meet the health needs of incarcerated people.
All profit, no risk
The bail industry exploits cracks and loopholes in the legal system to avoid accountability, while growing its profits.
Compare your state's use of the prison to the world at large
Criminal justice policy in every region of the United States is out of step with the rest of the world.
Prison Gerrymandering Project
We are leading the movement to protect our democracy from the Census Bureau's prison miscount.
Events
- November 18-21, 2026:
Members of our Research team, will be attending the American Society of Criminology annual meeting in Chicago from November 18th through the 21st. Please reach out if you’d like to set up a meeting.
Not near you?
Invite us to your city, college or organization.