John,

Today, The Sentencing Project has released a report, A Matter of Life: The Scope and Impact of Life and Long-Term Imprisonment in the United States, finding that one in six people in prison – nearly 200,000 people nationwide – are serving life sentences. This comprehensive 50-state “lifer census” report examines the prevalence and implications of life sentences across the country, highlighting the disproportionate impact of such extreme sentences on people of color and the inefficacy of punitive measures in improving community safety. 

Key findings from the report include:

• The U.S. represents 40% of the world’s life-sentenced population, despite comprising only 4% of the global population.
• One in six individuals in prison (16%) – nearly 200,000 people – is serving a life sentence.
• More people were serving life without parole in 2024 than ever: 56,245 people, a 68% increase since 2003.
• Nearly half of individuals serving life sentences and more than half of those sentenced to life without parole are Black.
• One in 11 women in prison is serving a life sentence.
• Almost 70,000 individuals serving life committed their offenses before the age of 25.
• People aged 55 and older account for nearly two-fifths of people serving life sentences.

The report, co-authored by Ashley Nellis, Ph.D., former Co-Director of Research at The Sentencing Project and Celeste Barry, Program Associate, provides several recommendations, including:

• Abolishing life without parole sentences, which disregards the potential for rehabilitation.
• Capping imprisonment at 20 years for adults and 15 years for youth, except in rare circumstances.
• Implementing sentence review mechanisms to evaluate and adjust sentences after 10 years of incarceration.
• Reforming parole systems to ensure fair assessments based on individual transformation and community safety.

The United States’ heavy investment in extreme punishments, such as life imprisonment, is ineffective crime prevention. The release of elderly and rehabilitated people from prison will reserve public funding for more effective safety solutions. Communities will not be safer unless we build stronger public health, education, and services for vulnerable people. It is time to adopt policies that prioritize justice, second chances, and more effective approaches to preventing crime.

Kara Gotsch

Executive Director

As a nonprofit organization, The Sentencing Project relies on the generosity of our community to power our work. The research, advocacy, and public education we contribute to the movement to end mass incarceration are only possible with your support. Every dollar makes a difference.

www.sentencingproject.org

The Sentencing Project
1150 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20036

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