These reforms shrink the size of the carceral system and make communities safer.
Criminal Justice Research Library for November 29, 2023 Bringing you the latest in empirical research about mass incarceration
32 reforms to the criminal legal system ripe for victory in 2024 [[link removed]] New report highlights actionable solutions that will shrink the size of the carceral system, promote public safety, and take action on racial inequities in the system. [[link removed]]
Today, as lawmakers across the country prepare to return to state capitol buildings for their 2024 legislative sessions, we released our annual list of high-impact, legislative reforms that are ripe for victory in the new year [[link removed]]. These 32 reforms will reduce the number of people behind bars, make communities safer, and take steps to address long-standing racial inequities in the system.
The reforms focus on nine areas:
Expanding alternatives to criminal legal system responses to social problems [[link removed]]; Reducing the number of people entering the "revolving doors" of jail and prison [[link removed]]; Improving sentencing structures and release processes to encourage timely and successful releases from prison [[link removed]]; Reducing the footprint of probation and parole systems and supporting success on supervision [[link removed]]; Protecting incarcerated people and families from exploitation [[link removed]]; Promoting physical and mental health among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people [[link removed]]; Giving all communities equal voice in how our justice system works [[link removed]]; Setting people up to succeed upon release [[link removed]]; and Eliminating relics of the harmful and racist "war on drugs." [[link removed]]
Each reform provides critical context about the problem it seeks to solve, points to high-quality research on the topic, and highlights solutions and legislation that have already been implemented in other states.
The list is not intended to be a comprehensive platform. Instead, we've curated it to offer policymakers and advocates straightforward solutions that would have a significant impact without further investments in the carceral system. We particularly focused on reforms that would reduce the number of people needlessly confined in prisons and jails. Additionally, we selected reforms that have gained momentum in recent years, passing in multiple states.
We sent this list to over 600 lawmakers, in all 50 states, from all political parties, who have shown a commitment to reducing the number of people behind bars in their state and making the criminal legal system more just and equitable. As they craft legislation for the upcoming legislative sessions, this list will provide them with actionable solutions to some of the most pressing challenges their states' criminal legal system faces.
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Find our full listing of 32 winnable criminal justice reforms ripe for victory in 2024 on our website [[link removed]].
Please support our work [[link removed]]
Our work is made possible by private donations. As you plan your end-of-year giving, we hope you'll consider making a donation to help us continue to produce groundbreaking research in the new year. We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!
Other news: We don't send fundraising emails [[link removed]]
At Prison Policy Initiative, we don't send fundraising emails. Instead, we let our reports, data, and visualizations speak for themselves and trust that people will contribute because they recognize how important this work is.
If you find our work valuable, please consider making a donation today to help us continue to produce groundbreaking research in the new year [[link removed]].
We're hiring a Digital Communications Strategist [[link removed]]
We're looking for an experienced social media professional to help us use our field-leading digital platforms to continue to influence public perception and critical public policy debates about mass incarceration in America.
Learn more about this position and apply here [[link removed]].
Please support our work [[link removed]]
Our work is made possible by private donations. Can you help us keep going? We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!
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