Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

Wendy Sawyer and Wanda Bertram | May 13, 2018

Jail will separate 2.3 million mothers from their children this year

80% of the women jailed each year are mothers. We're inflicting profound damage not only on them, but their children as well.

Emily Widra | May 3, 2018

Actual violent crime has nothing to do with our fear of violent crime

Comparing violent crime rates to public opinion data shows that there's a long-standing disconnect between perception and reality.

Wendy Sawyer and Wanda Bertram | April 26, 2018

New reports show probation is down, but still a major driver of incarceration

New data and analysis from BJS and Columbia University this week show the number of people on probation or parole is edging in the right direction, but states continue to set people up to fail with long supervision terms, onerous restrictions, and constant scrutiny.

Wanda Bertram | April 11, 2018

State-level studies identify causes of the national “gender divide”

Our January report showed how incarcerated women are being left behind, but to identify specific areas for improvement, state-level research is needed.

Lucius Couloute | April 11, 2018

Target agrees to compensate thousands in discriminatory hiring case

A new court settlement illustrates the pervasiveness of criminal record discrimination in the United States.

Lucius Couloute | March 26, 2018

New Massachusetts reform package aims to protect in-person jail visits

The Massachusetts conference committee between the House and Senate recently reached an agreement on criminal justice reform which includes an important measure that will protect in-person jail visits.

Aleks Kajstura | March 23, 2018

DC ends driver’s license suspensions for unrelated drug offenses

D.C. will no longer suspend driver's licenses for drug offenses completely unrelated to driving, but 12 states still cling to failed law.

Lucius Couloute | March 22, 2018

New data highlights pre-incarceration disadvantages

New research illustrates that many formerly incarcerated people never received a fair first chance at economic mobility, never mind a second one.

Wendy Sawyer | March 22, 2018

Artist collaboration: Visualizing 10.6 million jail admissions each year

The real impact of jail is far greater than the daily population suggests: People go to jail 10.6 million times each year. We collaborated with data journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi to visualize just how vast a number 10.6 million jail admissions is.

Maddy Troilo | February 27, 2018

Locking up youth with adults: An update

The number of youth locked up in adult facilities remains on the decline, but new jails data shows how much further we still need to go.

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Short, timely investigations and issue explainers

Jail will separate 2.3 million mothers from their children this year

80% of the women jailed each year are mothers. We're inflicting profound damage not only on them, but their children as well.

Actual violent crime has nothing to do with our fear of violent crime

Comparing violent crime rates to public opinion data shows that there's a long-standing disconnect between perception and reality.

New reports show probation is down, but still a major driver of incarceration

New data and analysis from BJS and Columbia University this week show the number of people on probation or parole is edging in the right direction, but states continue to set people up to fail with long supervision terms, onerous restrictions, and constant scrutiny.

State-level studies identify causes of the national “gender divide”

Our January report showed how incarcerated women are being left behind, but to identify specific areas for improvement, state-level research is needed.

Target agrees to compensate thousands in discriminatory hiring case

A new court settlement illustrates the pervasiveness of criminal record discrimination in the United States.

New Massachusetts reform package aims to protect in-person jail visits

The Massachusetts conference committee between the House and Senate recently reached an agreement on criminal justice reform which includes an important measure that will protect in-person jail visits.

DC ends driver’s license suspensions for unrelated drug offenses

D.C. will no longer suspend driver's licenses for drug offenses completely unrelated to driving, but 12 states still cling to failed law.

New data highlights pre-incarceration disadvantages

New research illustrates that many formerly incarcerated people never received a fair first chance at economic mobility, never mind a second one.

Artist collaboration: Visualizing 10.6 million jail admissions each year

The real impact of jail is far greater than the daily population suggests: People go to jail 10.6 million times each year. We collaborated with data journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi to visualize just how vast a number 10.6 million jail admissions is.

Locking up youth with adults: An update

The number of youth locked up in adult facilities remains on the decline, but new jails data shows how much further we still need to go.

Stay Informed

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Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie

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