What’s New
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New government report points to continuing mental health crisis in prisons and jails U.S. prisons and jails are filled with people who have a current or past mental health problem, and facilities are still not meeting the demand for treatment.
June 22: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Law Reviews rehash prison gerrymandering case law Recent Law Review pieces from Harvard and Stanford, conclude that prison gerrymandering is unconstitutional, question First Circuit’s logic to the contrary
June 22: Prisoners of the Census Blog
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Indicators of Mental Health Problems Reported by Prisoners & Jail Inmates: 2011-12 by Bureau of Justice Statistics
June 22: Research Clearinghouse: Mental Health
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Advocates ask FCC to block sale of Securus, investigate prison phone giant’s disregard for regulations Securus fights against regulations and then flouts the ones that survive. FCC should investigate, not approve sale.
June 21: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Letter: Incarcerated juveniles should have the right to access the internet California’s AB 811 emphasizes the humanity of incarcerated juveniles by providing more avenues for communication with family and education.
June 20: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Redefining the Role of the Prosecutor: Conference Roundup Prosecutors, former judges, and legal experts unanimously agreed: the role of the prosecutor is often misunderstood and underestimated.
June 20: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Unlocking solitary confinement: Ending Extreme Isolation in Nevada State Prisons by The ACLU of Nevada, Solitary Watch, Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center
June 19: Research Clearinghouse: Prisoner Welfare
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Geographic Variation in the Cumulative Risk of Imprisonment and Parental Imprisonment in the United States by University of California & Cornell University
June 19: Research Clearinghouse: Incarceration Rates Growth Causes
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We’re hiring! Join the Prison Policy Initiative team Are you interested in joining our dedicated team to find new ways of transforming the debate around criminal justice reform? If so, consider applying for our Communications Director position; designed for an experienced individual to immediately take over our existing media and public relations systems.
June 16: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
Featured report
Era of Mass Expansion: Why State Officials Should Fight Jail Growth
In a first-of-its-kind report, the Prison Policy Initiative challenges the myth that jails are only a local matter. While jails may be locally administered, state law defines the offenses and procedures that land people in jail 11 million times each year. With more than 150 graphics, the report explores the data to expose the real causes of jail growth in each state. The report offers ten recommendations to help state policymakers take responsibility for the overuse of jails in their states.
Unpacking mass incarceration
Learn about the national prison crisis and how we can begin to turn the tide on mass incarceration. Then, drill down to your state.
If our work is new to you, you might want to check out our 2015-2016 annual report.
Recommended Reading:
Prison Gerrymandering Project
We are leading the movement to protect our democracy from the Census Bureau's prison miscount.
Research Clearinghouse
We curate a searchable database of 2,500+ original research reports, organizing each entry by topic and adding brief summaries.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie
Our report that shows the number of people who are locked up in all of the different types of facilities and why they are there.
Breaking Down Mass Incarceration in the 2010 Census:
State-by-State Incarceration Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Events
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