Articles by Sarah Staudt
- The Prison Policy Initiative submits testimony in favor of SB503 to improve young adult sentencing in Connecticut
SB 503 would include people in their early 20s in important sentencing and parole provisions that consider age and maturity.
Mar 24, 2026 - The Prison Policy Initiative submits testimony in favor of SB497 to remove probation-related barriers to SNAP benefits in Connecticut
SB 497 would change Connecticut law to allow people on probation to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits even if they have a probation violation.
Mar 17, 2026 - Bad Omens: Reform rollbacks in Washington D.C. are a warning sign for state-level advocates
Bills in Congress that repeal bail reform, worsen mandatory minimums, and further criminalize youth threaten to undo decades of criminal legal system reform in D.C.
Mar 4, 2026 - The Prison Policy Initiative submits testimony in favor of HB 1575/SB 791 to stop Maryland sheriffs from collaborating with ICE
HB 1575/SB 791 would stop sheriffs from collaborating with ICE through informal arrangements like alerting ICE that a certain person is in custody.
Feb 23, 2026 - Gov. Abbott’s bail proposals would make communities less safe, drain taxpayer dollars, and worsen racial disparities
The proposals before the Texas legislature would dramatically increase the state's already bloated jail populations.
May 14, 2025 - Prison Policy Initiative testifies in support of creating a right to visitation for people in Colorado’s prisons
Yesterday, Prison Policy Initiative's Advocacy Director, Sarah Staudt, testified in the House Judiciary Committee in the Colorado Legislature to support a bill that....
Feb 6, 2025 - California may take a big step backwards towards more incarceration with Proposition 36
The measure would defund prevention and reentry services, and is projected to grow the state prison population by 35% over the next 5 years.
Oct 17, 2024 - Oregon shouldn’t go backwards on drug decriminalization
Oregon is in danger of repealing one of the most important criminal legal system reforms of recent years: here’s why the state should keep Measure 110 intact.
Feb 15, 2024 - Amicus Brief: In prison, a $15 fine means so much more
Last week, the Prison Policy Initiative filed an Amicus Curae brief in a suit filed by Rights Behind Bars, who are representing Demmerick Brown, a man incarcerated in....
Jan 31, 2024 - Zombie politics: The return of failed criminal legal system policies in 2023 – and how to fight back
Unfortunately, this year saw the return of many types of failed criminal legal system policies that would be more at home in 1993 than 2023. Here are some arguments to make if these zombie laws come to your state.
Jan 24, 2024 - Webinar: Combating “carveouts” in criminal justice reforms
Learn strategies to convince policymakers to adopt reforms that help all people tangled in the criminal legal system.
Oct 12, 2023 - Releasing people pretrial doesn’t harm public safety
When these states, cities, and counties began releasing more people pretrial, there were no corresponding waves in crime.
Jul 6, 2023
Recommended Reading:
Advocacy Toolkit
Resources, tips, and best practices to help advocates working to end mass incarceration.
50 state incarceration profiles
All of our recent reports about prison/jail growth, racial disparities, and more, re-organized by state.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie
The U.S. incarcerates nearly 2 million people. Where are they locked up and why? Read our report.
