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
Prison gerrymandering newsletter archive
1-2 issues per month on the movement to keep the Census Bureau's prison count from skewing our democracy and political priorities.
- Census Bureau will count incarcerated people in the wrong place once again
February 7, 2018 - New Jersey bill to end prison gerrymandering heads to Governor’s desk
May 25, 2017 - Mass incarceration changes elections
November 18, 2016 - 100,000 people call for an end to prison gerrymandering
September 8, 2016 - Last chance to submit comments to the Census Bureau!
August 29, 2016 - Census Bureau extends deadline for residence rule comments
August 5, 2016 - New York Times Editorial: Proposed residence rules "a rejection of common sense"
July 18, 2016 - Statement on Census Bureau's Residence Rule Announcement
June 30, 2016 - Federal Court Rules that Prison Gerrymandering Violates the Constitution
May 24, 2016 - Federal Judge declares prison gerrymandering unconstitutional
March 21, 2016 - Growing momentum to end prison gerrymandering
March 2, 2016 - Prison population affecting Florida's redistricting fight
August 25, 2015 - New video: Prison gerrymandering skews democracy, not funding
May 14, 2015 - Why end prison gerrymandering? Rhode Island Judiciary Committee hears testimony
April 8, 2015 - ACLU files lawsuit challenging "prison gerrymandering" election districts in Florida county
March 11, 2015 - Rhode Island Senate votes to end prison gerrymandering
March 5, 2015 - Three cities say goodbye to both wards and phantom constituents
January 27, 2015 - Connecticut organizations call on legislature to end prison gerrymandering
January 7, 2015 - Census Report: States request help with prison gerrymandering
December 23, 2014 - Historic election for "one person, one vote" in Maryland
November 4, 2014 - Massachusetts Legislature Calls on U.S. Census Bureau: Support Fair Redistricting, End Prison Gerrymandering
September 30, 2014 - Judge rules: Lawsuit against prison gerrymandering in Cranston, RI to go forward
September 8, 2014 - How many people benefit from ending prison gerrymandering?
August 28, 2014 - Implementing Reform: How Maryland & New York Ended Prison Gerrymandering
August 20, 2014 - Will city solve its accidental prison gerrymander?
July 23, 2014 - Bill to end prison gerrymandering passes Rhode Island Senate
May 15, 2014 - Prison gerrymandering hurts the 99.989%
May 2, 2014 - R.I’s new House speaker has a captive constituency - Providence Journal
April 3, 2014 - Boston Globe exposes prison gerrymandering in Massachusetts
March 20, 2014 - Prison gerrymandering undermines democracy & racial justice in Connecticut
March 4, 2014 - Residents and Advocates Sue City of Cranston, RI to abolish prison gerrymandering
February 19, 2014 - Help us end prison gerrymandering in 2014
December 30, 2013 - Texas and Louisiana demonstrate that avoiding prison gerrymandering is common sense
December 9, 2013 - Massachusetts voices call on Census Bureau to solve prison gerrymandering
November 15, 2013 - Are there phantom constituents at your town meeting?
November 1, 2013 - "Putting the con in constituent": Miami Herald on prison gerrymandering
October 17, 2013 - New York Times urges Census Bureau to end prison gerrymandering
September 27, 2013 - Congress and Census Bureau Director talk prison gerrymandering
September 20, 2013 - Will Youngstown, Ohio avoid prison gerrymandering?
August 19, 2013 - Peter Wagner honored with State Criminal Justice Reform Award
July 25, 2013 - Local editorial on prison gerrymandering: It's time to follow the law
July 16, 2013 - When will Rome NY finally fix voting inequality?
July 12, 2013 - More than 1 in 5 U.S. residents protected from prison gerrymandering
June 4, 2013 - Illinois House passes bill; Census Bureau replies to stakeholder letter
May 17, 2013 - Hartford Courant op-ed: "Count Inmates In Hometowns, Not In Cells"
May 9, 2013 - New report: Connecticut’s democracy harmed by Census, prison gerrymandering
April 17, 2013 - Vigo County, Ind. settles lawsuit, avoids prison gerrymandering
April 12, 2013 - Progress against prison gerrymandering in New England states
April 3, 2013 - Virginia ends mandatory prison gerrymandering
March 20, 2013 - Proposed bills would end prison gerrymandering in Oregon
March 12, 2013 - Mass. Legislature considers calling on Census Bureau to end prison gerrymandering
March 5, 2013 - Over 200 organizations ask Census Bureau to develop solutions to prison gerrymandering
February 14, 2013 - Virginia House passes bill to end prison gerrymandering for local governments
February 8, 2013 - Sign-on letter to Census Bureau: it's time to end prison gerrymandering
January 25, 2013 - Is Bernie Madoff Really a Resident of Granville County School Board District 3?
December 20, 2012 - Massachusetts Legislators call on Census Bureau to tabulate incarcerated people at home
December 12, 2012 - How to spot false majority-minority districts in three clicks
December 7, 2012 - Over 200 communities reject prison-based gerrymandering
November 28, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering on the campaign trail
November 5, 2012 - Model legislation to end prison-based gerrymandering
October 18, 2012 - Calif. Governor signs bill to improve law ending prison-based gerrymandering
September 17, 2012 - New map illustrates national movement against prison-based gerrymandering
August 29, 2012 - Census Bureau loses Director; when will President appoint replacement?
August 23, 2012 - Maryland law brings long-awaited racial justice to Somerset County
August 17, 2012 - Washington Post op-ed: "Beginning of the end for ‘prison-based gerrymandering'"
July 16, 2012 - Supreme Court ruling fuels state efforts to end prison-based gerrymandering
July 10, 2012 - Supreme Court upholds Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering
June 25, 2012 - Supreme Court reviews prison-based gerrymandering appeal
June 21, 2012 - Federal Judges save Kansas from worst prison gerrymander
June 11, 2012 - Report: Kansas has one last chance to avoid prison-based gerrymandering
May 29, 2012 - New law review article, "Breaking the Census: Redistricting in an Era of Mass Incarceration"
May 23, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering is over in Terre Haute, Indiana
May 14, 2012 - Kansas: worst prison-based gerrymandering in nation?
May 10, 2012 - Vote for Peter Wagner to receive the Maria Leavey Tribute Award!
May 3, 2012 - Peter Wagner to speak at Manning Marable Memorial Conference in NYC on 4/28
April 26, 2012 - Terre Haute, Indiana, considers ending prison-based gerrymandering
April 19, 2012 - Advocates salute Virginia for changing law to allow counties to avoid prison-based gerrymandering
March 27, 2012 - New York Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering Stands: Plaintiffs Drop Challenge
March 16, 2012 - Article: Using prison populations to pad districts mirrors infamous 3/5 clause
March 14, 2012 - Intentional prison-based gerrymandering in Wyoming
March 7, 2012 - Virginia bill against prison-based gerrymandering passed Senate, on to Governor for signature
February 24, 2012 - Top NY Court rebuffs efforts to bring back prison gerrymandering
February 16, 2012 - Missouri Municipal Review: Prison Populations Create Complications at Redistricting Time
February 8, 2012 - New video: How Prison-based Gerrymandering Changes District Lines
January 30, 2012 - New York Times editorial praises court's decision to uphold Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering
January 17, 2012 - Ending prison-based gerrymandering in New York is "the law" not "a deal"
January 13, 2012 - Roanoke Times urges Virginia to “move in the right direction” towards ending prison-based gerrymandering
January 6, 2012 - Federal Judges uphold Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering
December 27, 2011 - NYT editorial celebrates victory against prison-based gerrymandering
December 22, 2011 - Will New York redistricting task force heed court prison count decision?
December 15, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief Countering Misinformation About Maryland’s "No Representation Without Population" Redistricting Law
December 5, 2011 - Albany Judge Upholds Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
December 2, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups Take a Stand to Uphold Maryland's "No Representation Without Population" Act
November 18, 2011 - Small changes to Arizona redistricting map would be a big win for democracy
October 28, 2011 - State redistricting committees urged to avoid prison-based gerrymandering
October 21, 2011 - California becomes 4th state to outlaw prison-based gerrymandering
October 9, 2011 - Tomorrow (10/4) Civil Rights Groups to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering in NY Supreme Court Hearing
October 3, 2011 - Michigan spares most counties and municipalities from prison-based gerrymandering
September 28, 2011 - Misconceptions about funding stymie local governments' fight against prison-based gerrymandering
September 23, 2011 - Detailed correctional population demographics now available for nation
September 13, 2011 - California bill to end prison-based gerrymandering awaits the Governor's signature
September 9, 2011 - California Senate passes bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
August 31, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups Seek Summary Judgment in NY Prison-Based Gerrymandering Lawsuit
August 22, 2011 - Poll results affirm that New Yorkers of all regions and parties oppose prison-based gerrymandering
August 18, 2011 - Judge Allows Civil Rights Organizations Representing Voters to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
August 11, 2011 - LATFOR to follow prison-based gerrymandering law
August 4, 2011 - A Possible Return to Prison-based Gerrymandering Draws Criticism
July 28, 2011 - Wisconsin rushes into prison-based gerrymandering
July 22, 2011 - California moves close to ending prison-based gerrymandering
July 13, 2011 - Ending prison-based gerrymandering: no change to local aid
June 28, 2011 - Indiana officials don’t want districts skewed by prisons
June 10, 2011 - California Assembly passes bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
June 3, 2011 - Civil Rights Organizations File Motion to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
May 17, 2011 - Census Bureau releases prison count data
April 21, 2011 - New York Times says court should reject lawsuit seeking to bring back prison-based gerrymandering
April 19, 2011 - Litigation filed in NY to bring back prison-based gerrymandering
April 11, 2011 - Will Rhode Island finally address prison-based gerrymandering?
April 5, 2011 - Connecticut holds hearing on prison-based gerrymandering
March 31, 2011 - Illinois prison-based gerrymandering bill advances
March 17, 2011 - Media primer on prison-based gerrymandering
March 11, 2011 - 50 state guide to prison-based gerrymandering
March 3, 2011 - Preventing Prison-Based Gerrymandering in Redistricting: What to Watch For
February 23, 2011 - Prison-based gerrymandering costs Maine 8th graders local schooling
February 16, 2011 - Virginia bill empowers counties to end prison-based gerrymandering
February 8, 2011 - Interview: Working to end prison-based gerrymandering in Oregon
January 20, 2011 - NBCSL calls for end to prison-based gerrymandering
January 7, 2011 - Solutions to prison-based gerrymandering
December 22, 2010 - Native American political power diluted by prison-based gerrymandering
December 6, 2010 - Calif. AG opinion supports ending prison-based gerrymandering
November 30, 2010 - Are legislative maps hurting prison reforms?
November 18, 2010 - Gerrymandering in the movies, and on the ground
October 15, 2010 - Civil rights groups cite harm of prison-based gerrymandering
September 30, 2010 - Using prison populations in districting questioned nationwide
September 9, 2010 - New York law wins praise around the state
August 23, 2010 - Prison-based gerrymandering: New York, Rhode Island, and beyond
August 17, 2010 - New York to correct miscount of incarcerated people
August 3, 2010 - Delaware Passes Law to Count Incarcerated Persons at their Home Addresses for Redistricting
July 7, 2010 - A Chance for a Fairer Count
June 28, 2010 - Prison-based gerrymandering in Delaware & National report from NAACP LDF
June 10, 2010 - Delaware House passes bill to count incarcerated people at home
June 2, 2010 - 8 things our opponents should know about prison-based gerrymandering in New York State
May 20, 2010 - Prison-based gerrymandering video on Youtube; new model legislation
May 13, 2010 - Rhode Island moves towards census reform; Maryland's prison count law hailed
May 7, 2010 - Prison-based gerrymandering on the big screen & other news and events
April 23, 2010 - Tues 4/27: Hill Briefing on Prisons, Redistricting, and the Census
April 20, 2010 - Maryland enacts law to count incarcerated people at home
April 13, 2010 - Census Bureau's prison count won't mean funding windfall
April 9, 2010 - Census Day: Prison count gets more attention
April 1, 2010 - 50-state guide to "Fixing prison-based gerrymandering after the 2010 Census"
March 22, 2010 - Hearing on Census count bill in Connecticut
March 19, 2010 - Census adjustment bills introduced in Minnesota and Rhode Island
March 9, 2010 - Times Herald-Record asks: Who gets to count inmates?
March 2, 2010 - Utica paper calls for State Senator, Assemblywoman to support bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
February 26, 2010 - Who are the real victims of prison-based gerrymandering?
February 19, 2010 - Advocates commend Census Bureau for enhancing states' access to data on prison populations in 2010 Census
February 10, 2010 - Reform is about political power and fairness, does not affect funding
February 4, 2010 - Prison-Based Gerrymandering Campaign Off to Great Start in New York
January 29, 2010 - Don’t count prisoners as constituents
January 7, 2010 - Prison-Based Gerrymandering Radio Interviews
December 31, 2009 - Black leaders urge census to change how it counts inmates
December 22, 2009 - Annual appeal: We need your help to end prison-based gerrymandering
December 16, 2009 - The problem of prison-based gerrymandering
December 11, 2009 - No Census of Justice
December 2, 2009 - Somerset County Maryland paper endorses call to end prison-based gerrymandering
November 24, 2009 - New York City Council considers resolutions to end prison-based gerrymandering
November 20, 2009 - Miss. AG: Census should change prison count
November 13, 2009
Recommended Reading:
Prison Gerrymandering Project
We are leading the movement to protect our democracy from the Census Bureau's prison miscount.
Legal Resources for Incarcerated People
The internet's first always-up-to-date list of organizations that provide legal services and resources for incarcerated people, organized by state.
Tracking State Prison Growth in 50 States
State-by-state briefing on prison growth (and occasional contraction) from 1978 to 2012
Events
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