I need your help.
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
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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
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
National Facts
State Facts
Data VisualizationsSpecific 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
Exploitation
Jails & Bail
Racial justice
Collateral consequences
Prison gerrymandering
Communications
Geographic punishments
Women
Public healthRecommended Reading:
Prison Gerrymandering Project
We are leading the movement to protect our democracy from the Census Bureau's prison miscount.
$1/minute to talk to Dad?
The federal government must act to protect families from the predatory prison 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.
Events
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