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Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

Leah Wang | June 23, 2026

Since you asked: What does early release look like in states that eliminated discretionary parole?

While 17 states and D.C. have taken discretionary parole off the table for most or all incarcerated people, they still have other forms of parole and conditional release that could safely release many more people from prison. Here, we examine these slimmed-down parole systems and other release mechanisms, and show they are not wildly different from states still using discretionary parole.

Emily Widra | June 9, 2026

New research: How past incarceration affects people later in life

Two recent studies authored by Professor Carmen Gutierrez and her colleagues show that prior incarceration is associated with various geriatric health conditions and reduced life expectancy later in life.

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Jacob Kang-Brown | June 2, 2026

Probation and parole trends by state: A look back at the data on ‘alternatives’ to incarceration

We compiled, corrected, and analyzed 45 years of state-level probation and parole data, and found that while most (but not all) states have reduced the number of people they’ve placed under supervision, many states have had more people on probation than previously reported.

Sarah Staudt | May 27, 2026

The California Supreme Court puts on the record the best arguments against money bail

A recent case, In re Kowalczyk, affirms that money bonds are unfair, harmful, and make communities less safe.

Leah Wang | April 27, 2026

Updated data and charts: Women’s incarceration, national prison population counts, psychological distress behind bars, and more

Updated data visualizations illustrate the scale of — and disparities within — mass incarceration.

Aleks Kajstura | April 10, 2026

Guaranteed income helps people leaving jail and prison, and that helps everyone

Guaranteed income programs show reduced recidivism and improved self-sufficiency, quickly paying for themselves.

Brian Nam-Sonenstein | March 24, 2026

In federal prisons, the grievance system is designed to reject nearly all complaints about medical care

We analyzed data about formal complaints made by incarcerated people regarding medical care in federal prisons and can only conclude that grievance systems are designed to thwart nearly every one.

Sarah Staudt | March 4, 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.

Aleks Kajstura | February 24, 2026

Hunger as punishment: How states restrict SNAP benefits for people on probation

A patchwork of statutes and administrative choices limits access to the food assistance program SNAP for some people on probation.

Leah Wang | February 2, 2026

Specialty courts: A disappointing form of diversion

It seems like specialty courts — also called treatment courts, problem-solving courts, or accountability courts — are everywhere, claiming to tackle the root causes of criminalized behavior while reducing the use of jails. But decades of research and advocacy suggest that these courts are no panacea, failing to adhere to best practices or prevent incarceration for many participants.

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Creator-in-Residence

Stay Informed

Work with us

Support us

Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

Since you asked: What does early release look like in states that eliminated discretionary parole?

New research: How past incarceration affects people later in life

Two recent studies authored by Professor Carmen Gutierrez and her colleagues show that prior incarceration is associated with various geriatric health conditions and reduced life expectancy later in life.

More briefings

Probation and parole trends by state: A look back at the data on ‘alternatives’ to incarceration

We compiled, corrected, and analyzed 45 years of state-level probation and parole data, and found that while most (but not all) states have reduced the number of people they’ve placed under supervision, many states have had more people on probation than previously reported.

The California Supreme Court puts on the record the best arguments against money bail

A recent case, In re Kowalczyk, affirms that money bonds are unfair, harmful, and make communities less safe.

Updated data and charts: Women’s incarceration, national prison population counts, psychological distress behind bars, and more

Updated data visualizations illustrate the scale of — and disparities within — mass incarceration.

Guaranteed income helps people leaving jail and prison, and that helps everyone

Guaranteed income programs show reduced recidivism and improved self-sufficiency, quickly paying for themselves.

In federal prisons, the grievance system is designed to reject nearly all complaints about medical care

We analyzed data about formal complaints made by incarcerated people regarding medical care in federal prisons and can only conclude that grievance systems are designed to thwart nearly every one.

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.

Hunger as punishment: How states restrict SNAP benefits for people on probation

A patchwork of statutes and administrative choices limits access to the food assistance program SNAP for some people on probation.

Specialty courts: A disappointing form of diversion

Stay Informed

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