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.
Smart on Crime Explainers
In this Smart on Crime Explainers series, the Center for American Progress will break down some of the most current issues in criminal justice reform, explain their importance, point to additional trusted sources for further reading, and highlight where reforms are taking place on the ground.
This series is designed to be useful for everyone—from those newest to the reform movement to policymakers and practitioners. Learn more about what it means to be smart on crime by reading the fact sheets below.
Assessing the State of Police Reform
The nationwide protests following the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans have started to change how police are held accountable.
Clemency 101
Clemency is a criminal justice reform tool that governors and the president can use to correct unjust sentences.
Expunging and Sealing Criminal Records
Having a criminal record can be a life sentence to poverty, but some states and localities are implementing progressive policies to change that.
The Facts on Progressive Prosecutors
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.
What You Need To Know About Ending Cash Bail
Cash bail criminalizes poverty, fuels mass incarceration, and disproportionately affects communities of color. States and localities are increasingly pursuing opportunities for reform.
Clean Slate Toolkit
States across the country are taking action to enact clean slate, a new bipartisan policy solution that uses technology to automatically clear criminal records and give people the second chance they’ve earned.
Ending the War on Drugs: By the Numbers
Researchers and policymakers alike agree that the war on drugs is a failure. Policymakers must replace the war on drugs with a fairer, more effective model that treats substance misuse as a public health issue—not a criminal justice issue.