How To Stop the Rush To Enact New Federal Criminal Penalties
Lawmakers should slow down the legislative process and get more information before voting on new criminal offenses.
Mass Incarceration
Trump and Governors Should Use Commutations To Combat the Spread of Coronavirus
The power of commutations is a ready-made tool to save lives, but officials need to actually use it.
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.
How Private Prisons Are Profiting Under the Trump Administration
The private prison industry is benefiting from Trump administration policies to expand detention and increase profits.
Infographic: President Trump Falsely Claims To Be a Criminal Justice Reformer
The Trump administration’s record on criminal justice issues makes clear that the president is no reformer.
Ending Mass Incarceration, With Emily Bazelon and Rachel Barkow
This week, Daniella and Ed talk with Emily Bazelon, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, and Rachel Barkow, professor at the New York University School of Law, about how to end mass incarceration through comprehensive criminal justice reform.
Congress Should Repeal the Ban on Pell Grants
Congress has the opportunity to repeal the ban on Pell Grants and breathe fresh air into higher education programs inside of state and federal prisons.
The 1994 Crime Bill Continues to Undercut Justice Reform—Here’s How to Stop It
Lawmakers who are considering what should follow the FIRST STEP Act, the federal sentencing and prison reform effort, must begin by reversing the infrastructure that the 1994 federal crime bill created.
Infographic: How Prison Reform Works in the FIRST STEP Act
This infographic serves as a visual representation of the FIRST STEP Act’s prison reform provisions.
The Dilemma of Endorsing the FIRST STEP Act During the Trump Administration
While the Center for American Progress supports the FIRST STEP Act, passing the bill in Congress will be easier than counting on the Trump administration to implement it.
The Need for Sentencing Reform for Women and Mothers
There is a dire need for smart sentencing reform—particularly for women and mothers who are trapped in prison for economic crimes.
Locking Up Our Own
Michele and Igor sit down with James Forman Jr., a public defender and author, and discuss the touch-on-crime policies that resulted in disproportionate numbers of black men in prison.
Why Prison Reform Is Not Enough to Fix the U.S. Criminal Justice System
The Trump administration’s rhetorical support for reforming America’s prisons is contradicted by its policies to incarcerate more people for longer periods of time.
Education Opportunities in Prison Are Key to Reducing Crime
Federal and state funding should support and expand prison education if the United States hopes to reduce its rapidly growing prison population.