What’s New
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New report, Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2019, provides annual “big picture” view of confinement in the U.S. with 7 new infographics With this year’s updated edition of Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie, we once again answer the essential questions of how many people are locked up, where, and why.
March 19: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Diversion in the Criminal Justice System by Michael Mueller-Smith and Kevin T. Schnepel
March 19: Research Library: Sentencing Policy and Practices
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More states are signing harmful “free prison tablet” contracts Tablet computers are delivering a captive audience to profit-seeking companies, while enabling prisons to cut essential services like law libraries. We investigate.
March 7: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Bill to end prison gerrymandering clears New Jersey Senate If it passes, the bill would make New Jersey the fifth state to end prison gerrymandering.
February 26: Prisoners of the Census Blog
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As Connecticut prison gerrymandering lawsuit moves forward, six states consider legislation Bills to end prison gerrymandering are pending in six states’ new legislative sessions. Conn. prison gerrymandering challenge passes first hurdle in court.
February 21: Prisoners of the Census Blog
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Evaluating the Impacts of Eliminating Prosecutorial Requests for Cash Bail by Aurelie Ouss and Megan T. Stevenson
February 20: Research Library: Pretrial Detention
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Perinatal Needs of Pregnant, Incarcerated Women by Barbara A. Hotelling
February 20: Research Library: Women
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The Price They Pay: Protecting the Mother-Child Relationship Through the Use of Prison Nurseries and Residential Parenting Programs by Anne E. Jbara
February 20: Research Library: Women
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Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment: A National Look at Prison Nurseries and Community-Based Alternatives by Institute on Women & Criminal Justice
February 20: Research Library: Women
Featured report
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2019
With 2.3 million people locked up in more than 6,000 correctional facilities operated by thousands of agencies, getting the big picture is anything but easy. In our new report and comprehensive graphic (as well as 23 other graphics), we break down how many people are locked up in the U.S., where, and why - highlighting causes of incarceration that get too little attention as well as incarceration "myths" that receive too much. Our report gives the public and policymakers the foundation for considering changes that would end the country’s reign as the number one incarcerator in the world.
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 2017-2018 annual report.
Recommended Reading:
$1/minute to talk to Dad?
State governments must act to protect families from the predatory jail telephone industry.
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.
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