Advocacy
The Sentencing Project is excited to share that significant voting rights restoration legislation has been signed into law in New Mexico. This historic legislation, among other pro-democracy reforms, automatically restores voting rights to over 11,000 citizens who are completing their felony sentence on probation or parole.
State Wins
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Voting RightsMinnesota passes Restore the Vote Act
Learn moreThe Restore the Vote Act will automatically expand voting rights to over 46,000 Minnesotans who are either on probation or parole.
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Racial JusticeCalifornia passes Racial Justice Act for All
Read Nicole D. Porter's testimonyThe California Racial Justice Act for All allows people with convictions prior to January 1, 2021 to petition the court and seek relief if racial bias was proven to be present in their case.
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Youth JusticeTransformative youth justice reform passes in Maryland
Read Josh Rovner's testimonyMaryland passed SB691/HB459, legislation that would right-size the state's youth justice system and restrict children's incarceration for low-level offenses.
Join the Movement
This year, The Sentencing Project and a coalition of advocates, experts, and partners are launching a public education campaign, 50 Years and a Wake Up: Ending The Mass Incarceration Crisis In America. The campaign raises awareness about the dire state of the criminal legal system in the country, the devastating impact of incarceration on communities and families, and proposes more effective crime prevention strategies for our country.
Washington, DC's Revised Criminal Code Act
We’re deeply disappointed by President Biden’s betrayal of DC autonomy and abandonment of evidence-based criminal justice policy. The bill to modernize DC’s criminal code is the product of 16 years of research, an expert commission, 51 public meetings, extensive public feedback, and robust negotiation. It’s a balanced, moderate, and long overdue update of the criminal code.
Second Look in Michigan
The Sentencing Project is supporting Michigan partners in building a strong bi-partisan effort to pass second look legislation. The bill would allow individuals sentenced for crimes committed under 26 to seek a sentence review after serving ten years in prison. Hear from our incarcerated partner, Susan Brown, on why we need this urgent reform now.
More Than Half of States Now Ban JLWOP
In 2023, Illinois and New Mexico banned the sentence of life without parole for people under 18, becoming the 26th and 27th states to do so.
Reform Agenda
Comment on the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Proposed Policy Priorities
The Sentencing Project submitted a comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission on its proposed priorities for 2023 and 2024. The comment addresses the Commission’s duty to provide guidance to the Bureau of Prisons, potential changes to the sentencing guidelines for emerging adults and people who commit repeat offenses, diversion and alternatives to incarceration, and life sentences.
Top Trends in Criminal Justice Reform, 2022
Formerly incarcerated activists, lawmakers, and advocates achieved important changes in criminal justice policy in 2022 to challenge extreme sentencing, expand voting rights and advance youth justice. This briefing paper highlights top trends in criminal justice reform in 2022.
Voting Rights
In 2022, 4.6 million Americans were banned from voting due to a felony conviction. The Sentencing Project is committed to expanding voting rights in every state and works with state partners to provide specific data on state felony disenfranchisement.
Commentary by The Sentencing Project
It’s Time to End Eternal Punishment for Young Adults
The Best Way to Reform Prisons is to Reduce Their Populations
Ron DeSantis is Flat-Out Wrong about The First Step Act
Racial Justice Fund Grants
In response to the murder of George Floyd, The Sentencing Project established a Racial Justice Fund (RJF) to support our state advocacy partners. Since 2021, we have funded 30 grants to grassroots organizations across 20 jurisdictions. These targeted grants provide our partners with the support needed to build their capacity and increase the scope of their impact.
