What’s New
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A state-by-state analysis of legislative frameworks for mental health programming in correctional facilities
by Jennifer Wyatt Bourgeois, Dragana Derlic, & Stuti S. Kokkalera
November 3: Research Library: Mental health
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Breaking ICE: Most bans on ICE collaboration don’t go far enough. Here’s how to make them stronger
State and local governments play a critical role in the detention and deportation machinery. Here’s how advocates can make bans on 287(g) agreements more effective and place additional limits on ICE overreach.
October 15: Briefings
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New report shows where 198,800 incarcerated women in the U.S. are locked up and why
The report goes in-depth on women’s incarceration in local jails, ICE detention, and other forms of confinement.
October 14: Press releases
Featured report
Building exits off the highway to mass incarceration: Diversion programs explained
"Diversion program" can refer to a wide variety of initiatives to keep people out of jail. We wrote one report that explains them all. Our report envisions the criminal justice process as a highway, with five major "exits" off the road to incarceration — that is, five basic types of diversion programs. We compare and contrast the different programs, showing how the best programs get people off the highway to incarceration as early as possible, long before jail time or arrest.
Mass incarceration, state by state
Learn about the national prison crisis and how we can begin to turn the tide on mass incarceration. Then, drill down to your state. Be sure to also check out our pages focused on D.C., and the incarceration of Native people.
Select your state:
If our work is new to you, you might want to check out our 2025-2026 annual report.
Recommended Reading:
Advocacy Toolkit
Resources, tips, and best practices to help advocates working to end mass incarceration.
50 state incarceration profiles
All of our recent reports about prison/jail growth, racial disparities, and more, re-organized by state.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie
The U.S. incarcerates nearly 2 million people. Where are they locked up and why? Read our report.
Events
- November 18-21, 2026:
Members of our Research team, will be attending the American Society of Criminology annual meeting in Chicago from November 18th through the 21st. Please reach out if you’d like to set up a meeting.
Not near you?
Invite us to your city, college or organization.