Qualified Immunity and the Bivens Doctrines Explained
Americans’ civil liberties are in danger if Congress does not ensure that ordinary people can hold state and federal officials accountable for wrongdoing.
Criminal Justice
The Center for American Progress is dedicated to developing policies that (1) shrink the footprint of the criminal justice system while improving public health and safety; (2) promote equity and accountability within the justice system; and (3) provide opportunities for people directly impacted by a criminal conviction. The Criminal Justice Reform team’s work stems from principles of fair laws and enforcement of laws; just and proportional responses to crime; comprehensive investments in safety outside of the justice system; and data- and evidence-driven solutions.
How To Reinvest in Communities When Reducing the Scope of Policing
As cities reevaluate the role of policing, the bipartisan Justice Reinvestment Initiative offers lessons for cities on prioritizing meaningful investments in community-driven safety.
Assessing the State of Police Reform
How To Stop the Rush To Enact New Federal Criminal Penalties
What We Should Expect of the Police: Experts Weigh In On Recent Police Violence
A Call for Effective Emergency Management in Correctional Facilities During COVID-19
3 Under-the-Radar Executive Actions for the Biden Administration’s Criminal Justice Reform Agenda
The Biden administration can create a foundation for criminal justice reform efforts through additional executive actions.
The Need To Rebuild the DOJ Office for Access to Justice
The Biden administration can immediately act to begin renewing the federal government’s work to reform civil and criminal justice systems.
Progressive Criminal Justice Ballot Initiatives Won Big in the 2020 Election
Progressive criminal justice policies fared well at the ballot box, with voters across the country approving critical reforms.
Violent Crime Rates Declined in 10 Jurisdictions Following Comprehensive Police Reform
Policymakers may have concerns that comprehensive police reform would increase violent crime, but evidence from 10 jurisdictions runs counter to such a relationship.
The Facts on State and Local Elections
State and local elected officials are the key to ensuring that significant reforms are made to the criminal justice system.
The Community Responder Model
Establishing a new branch of civilian first responders can help cities reduce overreliance on the police.
Beyond Policing: Investing in Offices of Neighborhood Safety
By establishing civilian Offices of Neighborhood Safety, local governments can strengthen community safety and reduce overreliance on police.
The Office of Neighborhood Safety: How Governments Can Support Community-Driven Solutions
As Americans start to rethink the role of policing, city leaders can lay the foundation for a community-driven approach to public safety.
Reimagining Federal Grants for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform
As the movements to end mass incarceration and police violence gain momentum, the U.S. government must overhaul its approach to funding criminal justice reform and public safety.
Eliminating the Pennsylvania Rule That Bars Incarcerated Students From Getting Financial Aid
In Pennsylvania, the good moral character rule blocks thousands of people in prison from getting state financial aid for college, and now is the time to eliminate it.
Restoring Integrity and Independence at the U.S. Justice Department
The next attorney general has a daunting task to rebuild the U.S. Department of Justice; this report contains recommendations from former DOJ officials who served in multiple administrations on how to start that important work.
4 Actions Colleges Can Take To Address Police Brutality
Postsecondary institutions must take immediate action to help address the issue of police brutality.
Update to ‘News You Can Use: Research Roundup for Re-Entry Advocates’
This resource guide serves as an update to "News You Can Use: Research Roundup for Re-Entry Advocates," providing new information and links to additional criminal justice reform resources.
Advancing Clean Slate: The Need for Automatic Record Clearance During the Coronavirus Pandemic
State and federal governments have been making huge strides in advancing automatic record-clearance measures, which are needed now more than ever as a global health crisis launches the United States into its second recession in just more than a decade.