Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

Emily Widra and Peter Wagner | May 1, 2020

While jails drastically cut populations, state prisons have released almost no one

Our analysis finds that jails are responding to the unprecedented public health crisis by rapidly dropping their populations. In contrast, state prisons have barely budged.

Wendy Sawyer | April 24, 2020

How to find and interpret crime data during the coronavirus pandemic: 5 tips

We outline five things to keep in mind about crime data trends during the pandemic, including a few tips for where to look for information about your local area.

Wanda Bertram and Emily Widra | April 24, 2020

Hundreds are still jailed for technical parole violations in NYC, which means decarceration is happening far too slowly

As cities attempt to reduce their jail populations, they should pay attention to the lesson of NYC’s slow decarceration: Even releasing "low-level offenders" is a complicated process liable to be bogged down by delays.

Roxanne Daniel | April 22, 2020

Since you asked: What data exists about Native American people in the criminal justice system?

Problems with data collection - and an unfortunate tendency to group Native Americans together with other ethnic and racial groups in data publications - have made it hard to understand the effect of mass incarceration on Native people.

Emily Widra and Peter Wagner | April 10, 2020

How prepared are state prison systems for a viral pandemic?

We sent state prison systems a 5-question survey, and the answers – largely – are not encouraging.

Peter Wagner | April 9, 2020

Large scale releases and public safety

Can governments safely release hundreds or thousands of people from prison? We offer 14 historical examples to show that, in fact, they already have.

Tiana Herring and Emily Widra | April 8, 2020

Tracking the statements of Departments of Corrections on the COVID-19 virus

We provide a spreadsheet showing what each state DOC has chosen to tell the public about its virus response plan.

Aleks Kajstura and Jenny Landon | April 3, 2020

Since you asked: Is social distancing possible behind bars?

The short answer is no - social distancing is even harder behind bars than in nursing homes or on cruise ships.

Peter Wagner and Emily Widra | March 27, 2020

Five ways the criminal justice system could slow the pandemic

We offer five areas where quick action could slow the spread of the viral pandemic in prisons and jails and in society as a whole.

Alexi Jones | March 19, 2020

The “services” offered by jails don’t make them safe places for vulnerable people

Even in the best of times, jails are not good at providing health and social services.

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Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

While jails drastically cut populations, state prisons have released almost no one

Our analysis finds that jails are responding to the unprecedented public health crisis by rapidly dropping their populations. In contrast, state prisons have barely budged.

How to find and interpret crime data during the coronavirus pandemic: 5 tips

We outline five things to keep in mind about crime data trends during the pandemic, including a few tips for where to look for information about your local area.

Hundreds are still jailed for technical parole violations in NYC, which means decarceration is happening far too slowly

As cities attempt to reduce their jail populations, they should pay attention to the lesson of NYC’s slow decarceration: Even releasing "low-level offenders" is a complicated process liable to be bogged down by delays.

Since you asked: What data exists about Native American people in the criminal justice system?

Problems with data collection - and an unfortunate tendency to group Native Americans together with other ethnic and racial groups in data publications - have made it hard to understand the effect of mass incarceration on Native people.

How prepared are state prison systems for a viral pandemic?

We sent state prison systems a 5-question survey, and the answers – largely – are not encouraging.

Large scale releases and public safety

Can governments safely release hundreds or thousands of people from prison? We offer 14 historical examples to show that, in fact, they already have.

Tracking the statements of Departments of Corrections on the COVID-19 virus

We provide a spreadsheet showing what each state DOC has chosen to tell the public about its virus response plan.

Since you asked: Is social distancing possible behind bars?

The short answer is no - social distancing is even harder behind bars than in nursing homes or on cruise ships.

Five ways the criminal justice system could slow the pandemic

We offer five areas where quick action could slow the spread of the viral pandemic in prisons and jails and in society as a whole.

The “services” offered by jails don’t make them safe places for vulnerable people

Even in the best of times, jails are not good at providing health and social services.

Stay Informed

Recommended Reading:

50 state incarceration profiles

The rapid & unregulated growth of e-messaging in prisons

Incarceration and supervision by states

Prison Gerrymandering Project