I co-founded the Prison Policy Initiative to put the problem of mass incarceration — and the perverse incentives that fuel it — on the national agenda. Over the last 17 years, our campaigns have protected our democracy from the prison system and protected the poorest families in this country from the predatory prison telephone industry. Our reports untangle the statistics and recruit new allies.

But now, more than ever, we need your help to put data & compassion into the conversation. Any gift you can make today will be matched by other donors and go twice as far.

Thank you.
—Peter Wagner, Executive DirectorDonate

Stay Informed

Get the latest updates by signing up for our newsletters:

Meet us

Nothing scheduled right now. Invite us to to your city, college or organization or apply for an internship.

Our expertise

The big picture:

National FactsEmpowering our movement with useful & accessible data.
State FactsEmpowering our movement with useful & accessible data.
Data VisualizationsVisual explanations of mass incarceration

Specific issues:

ExploitationCompanies & facilities exploit captive markets. We expose them.
Jails & BailOne out of three people behind bars are in a jail. Jail reform is criminal justice reform.
Racial justiceRacial disparities are a defining characteristic of our criminal justice system.
Collateral consequencesPunishment doesn't end when your sentence does.
Prison gerrymanderingHow the prison system distorts democracy
CommunicationsProtecting phone, visitation, email, and postal contact for people behind bars.
Geographic punishmentsPunishing based on location of offense, not severity of offense is a bad idea.
WomenHow women fare in the world’s most punitive justice system.
Public healthThe harms of mass incarceration extend far beyond prisons