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.
In addition to granting early release orders, policymakers must reform U.S. reentry systems to ensure that justice-involved people benefit from relief measures and can access vital social support programs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The war on drugs has adversely affected people of color for decades; if enacted, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act has an opportunity to correct these harms.
Young adults who have been disproportionately affected by America’s criminal justice system are in need of solutions to reduce the collateral consequences of a criminal record.
The collateral consequences of having a criminal record create barriers and restrict opportunities for families across generations—policy solutions must be comprehensive and multigenerational.
As the novel coronavirus pandemic intensifies, officials must be vigilant in educating and persuading the public to adhere to stay-at-home orders, only using the criminal justice process as a last resort.
As the novel coronavirus pandemic intensifies, CAP is collecting examples of how stay-at-home orders are being enforced.
A growing number of prosecutors are shifting away from an overly punitive vision of safety and justice and toward alternatives to incarceration that promote equitable and prevention-oriented responses within the criminal justice system.
While some local law enforcement agencies have responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by diverting people away from prisons and jails and by releasing particularly vulnerable incarcerated individuals, federal immigration officials are continuing to endanger the lives and safety of detained people and undermine public health.
Cash bail criminalizes poverty, fuels mass incarceration, and disproportionately affects communities of color. States and localities are increasingly pursuing opportunities for reform.
Carolina earned her second chance; Washington should let her have it.
A list of all the ways Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice contradicts his claims that he is a reformer.
With the passage of Michigan’s Clean Slate bill, people like Jarret could finally have a second chance.
To address public safety concerns in public housing developments, the city of New York is turning to the experts: residents themselves.
The private prison industry is benefiting from Trump administration policies to expand detention and increase profits.
Florida officials are rejecting the will of the people in order to suppress the vote.