What’s New
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Sentences Imposed on Those Convicted of Felony Illegal Possession of a Firearm in Illinois
by Loyola University Chicago Center for Criminal Justice Research, Policy, and Practice
January 14: Research Library: Gun Control
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Resource spotlight: Handbook on health and punishment tackles carceral health, featuring original analysis from Prison Policy Initiative
At the Prison Policy Initiative, we are often cited in academic articles and advocacy materials, but for the first….
December 20: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
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Here’s what’s on our data wishlist for 2025
Criminal legal system data is important to understanding how the system operates, but it’s highly limited, inaccessible, outdated, and fractured across thousands of jurisdictions. We spotlight some of the most persistent data gaps we came across in 2024.
December 19: Prison Policy Initiative Blog
Featured report
Eligible, but excluded: A guide to removing the barriers to jail voting
Most of the 746,000 people incarcerated in jails can vote, but nearly-insurmountable barriers prevent them from doing so. In this report with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.'s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, we provide a concise guide to understanding which people in jail in every state are eligible to vote (including a handy flowchart and 50-state table), and explain how advocates and elected officials can bring down the logistical barriers that prevent people in jail from having their votes counted.
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.
If our work is new to you, you might want to check out our 2023-2024 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 over 1.9 million people, more than any other country. Where are they locked up and why? Read our report.
