Prison Policy Initiative
@prisonpolicy.org
Challenging mass incarceration and over-criminalization through research, advocacy, and organizing. Get email updates: https://prisonpolicy.org/subscribe/
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A lot of bad things happened this year in the criminal legal system.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
December 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
For far too many across the U.S., holidays are a grim reminder of the loss caused by mass incarceration.
Nearly 50% of Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated. That’s millions of people who are familiar with the carceral system’s far-reaching grasp.
Nearly 50% of Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated. That’s millions of people who are familiar with the carceral system’s far-reaching grasp.
December 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
For far too many across the U.S., holidays are a grim reminder of the loss caused by mass incarceration.
Nearly 50% of Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated. That’s millions of people who are familiar with the carceral system’s far-reaching grasp.
Nearly 50% of Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated. That’s millions of people who are familiar with the carceral system’s far-reaching grasp.
Day 3️⃣ of Criminal Justice Reform ⚖️
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about prison sentences & pathways to exit the system🧵
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about prison sentences & pathways to exit the system🧵
December 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Day 3️⃣ of Criminal Justice Reform ⚖️
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about prison sentences & pathways to exit the system🧵
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about prison sentences & pathways to exit the system🧵
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families.
December 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families.
Hundreds of thousands of people are locked up in state prisons where any holiday cards they receive will be scanned and photocopied before they can see them – or they can pay a prison profiteer to send an e-message.
End mail scanning policies now!
End mail scanning policies now!
Mail scanning: A harsh and exploitative new trend in prisons
In at least 14 states, people in state prisons are falling victim to a scan: Prisons are replacing physical mail with scanned copies, a policy ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people are locked up in state prisons where any holiday cards they receive will be scanned and photocopied before they can see them – or they can pay a prison profiteer to send an e-message.
End mail scanning policies now!
End mail scanning policies now!
Today, 1.25 million kids will spend the holiday without their parent because of mass incarceration.
December 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Today, 1.25 million kids will spend the holiday without their parent because of mass incarceration.
"Joy is an infectious emotion, and it has to be carried delicately while in a place that holds misery. Joy has to be spared from this negative environment in order to keep a person sane."
What Christmas is like in prison, from @vera.org:
What Christmas is like in prison, from @vera.org:
Holiday Funk: What Christmas is Like in Prison
Facing my 17th holiday behind bars, here’s how I connect and seek joy.
www.vera.org
December 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
"Joy is an infectious emotion, and it has to be carried delicately while in a place that holds misery. Joy has to be spared from this negative environment in order to keep a person sane."
What Christmas is like in prison, from @vera.org:
What Christmas is like in prison, from @vera.org:
Day 2️⃣ of Criminal Justice Reform ⚖️
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about protecting the presumption of innocence 🧵
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about protecting the presumption of innocence 🧵
December 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Day 2️⃣ of Criminal Justice Reform ⚖️
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about protecting the presumption of innocence 🧵
Every day through the end of the year, we're pointing to high-impact policy ideas to reform the criminal justice system without making it bigger.
Let's talk about protecting the presumption of innocence 🧵
2025 was an eventful year marked by essential journalism exposing crises in the criminal legal system.
We asked the Prison Policy Initiative staff to share some of their favorite news stories from the year – here's what they picked 🧵
We asked the Prison Policy Initiative staff to share some of their favorite news stories from the year – here's what they picked 🧵
Our favorite journalism about the criminal legal system in 2025
And some commentary and editorial writing, too.
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
2025 was an eventful year marked by essential journalism exposing crises in the criminal legal system.
We asked the Prison Policy Initiative staff to share some of their favorite news stories from the year – here's what they picked 🧵
We asked the Prison Policy Initiative staff to share some of their favorite news stories from the year – here's what they picked 🧵
A lot of bad things happened this year in the criminal legal system.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
December 23, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A lot of bad things happened this year in the criminal legal system.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
But as we enter 2026, it's important to remember that we aren't helpless, and the U.S. doesn't have to continue down this road.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
Some excellent stories related to criminal justice in this year-end roundup. Thanks to @prisonpolicy.org for including my recent investigation about Michigan prisoner benefit funds www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12... #prison
Our favorite journalism about the criminal legal system in 2025
And some commentary and editorial writing, too.
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Some excellent stories related to criminal justice in this year-end roundup. Thanks to @prisonpolicy.org for including my recent investigation about Michigan prisoner benefit funds www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12... #prison
It’s #Festivus, and we’ve got a lot of problems with the politicians driving mass incarceration & criminalization – and they’re gonna hear about it.
Gather ‘round while we air our grievances 🧵
Gather ‘round while we air our grievances 🧵
December 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It’s #Festivus, and we’ve got a lot of problems with the politicians driving mass incarceration & criminalization – and they’re gonna hear about it.
Gather ‘round while we air our grievances 🧵
Gather ‘round while we air our grievances 🧵
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
Extremely honored today to see that reporting Jayrol San Jose and I did (and published on Inadvertent (my substack)) was included in @prisonpolicy.org's 2025 list of "favorite journalism about the criminal legal system"
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
Our favorite journalism about the criminal legal system in 2025
And some commentary and editorial writing, too.
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 23, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Extremely honored today to see that reporting Jayrol San Jose and I did (and published on Inadvertent (my substack)) was included in @prisonpolicy.org's 2025 list of "favorite journalism about the criminal legal system"
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
Police contact of any kind is not innocuous: most police killings start with officers responding to a suspected non-violent situation or a case where no crime has been reported.
December 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Police contact of any kind is not innocuous: most police killings start with officers responding to a suspected non-violent situation or a case where no crime has been reported.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
Incarcerated writer Kwaneta Harris says solitary confinement keeps no one safe. “The answer isn’t throwing them in a concrete box for years; it’s trauma-informed care, therapeutic communities, meditation programs, restorative justice practices.”
“Designed to Break You:” Two Incarcerated Writers on the Heavy Toll of Solitary Confinement
The authors of a new book on solitary answer your questions about their experiences with isolation and the movement to end the torturous practice.
boltsmag.org
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Incarcerated writer Kwaneta Harris says solitary confinement keeps no one safe. “The answer isn’t throwing them in a concrete box for years; it’s trauma-informed care, therapeutic communities, meditation programs, restorative justice practices.”
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
@prisonpolicy.org published "Our favorite journalism about the criminal legal system in 2025," which features NC's Phillip Vance Smith II's excellent @boltsmag.org article on the exploitative cost of prison phone calls. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12... #ncpol
December 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
@prisonpolicy.org published "Our favorite journalism about the criminal legal system in 2025," which features NC's Phillip Vance Smith II's excellent @boltsmag.org article on the exploitative cost of prison phone calls. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12... #ncpol
Nearly half of all Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated – that's millions and millions of people who have been plagued by the wide-reaching effects of mass incarceration.
December 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Nearly half of all Americans have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated – that's millions and millions of people who have been plagued by the wide-reaching effects of mass incarceration.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
A new report from @prisonpolicy.org outlines practical steps states can take to reduce incarceration. Ideas include dispatching mental health professionals for nonemergency calls, decriminalizing drugs for a health‑centered approach, and ending youth sentencing as adults.
#CriminalJusticeReform
#CriminalJusticeReform
Report examines ways to reduce Ohio's incarceration rate
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
app.publicnewsservice.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A new report from @prisonpolicy.org outlines practical steps states can take to reduce incarceration. Ideas include dispatching mental health professionals for nonemergency calls, decriminalizing drugs for a health‑centered approach, and ending youth sentencing as adults.
#CriminalJusticeReform
#CriminalJusticeReform
An alarming fact during the holidays: Most incarcerated parents have never received a visit from their child, mostly because they’re too far.
Every child deserves the opportunity to visit their incarcerated parent.
Every child deserves the opportunity to visit their incarcerated parent.
December 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
An alarming fact during the holidays: Most incarcerated parents have never received a visit from their child, mostly because they’re too far.
Every child deserves the opportunity to visit their incarcerated parent.
Every child deserves the opportunity to visit their incarcerated parent.
What's commissary like during the holidays?
Exploitative – as usual.
Exploitative – as usual.
December 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
What's commissary like during the holidays?
Exploitative – as usual.
Exploitative – as usual.
Holiday cheer doesn't extend to commissary.
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families:
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families:
December 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Holiday cheer doesn't extend to commissary.
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families:
Prisons know how devastating it is to spend the holidays behind bars – and they know it's a chance to exploit incarcerated people and their families:
"I don’t know if the mail rule has stymied the flow of drugs into the prison... But as we get closer to the holidays, I do know I will miss my mom’s loopy cursive handwriting on a Christmas card."
When prisons ban physical mail, families suffer.
When prisons ban physical mail, families suffer.
Prison Mail Rules Are Changing to Prevent Drugs. Has it Worked?
Oregon no longer allows many forms of physical mail. It’s become harder for people to send incarcerated loved ones Christmas cards.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
"I don’t know if the mail rule has stymied the flow of drugs into the prison... But as we get closer to the holidays, I do know I will miss my mom’s loopy cursive handwriting on a Christmas card."
When prisons ban physical mail, families suffer.
When prisons ban physical mail, families suffer.
"Officials allowed her only a small ration of menstrual products... On her worst days, she tore up her own T-shirts and used them as makeshift pads"
Behind bars, managing menstruation is difficult, uncomfortable, and often downright dangerous:
Behind bars, managing menstruation is difficult, uncomfortable, and often downright dangerous:
Not enough tampons. Not enough pads.
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products. Some states are doing something about it.
Important reporting from @amandavhernan.bsky.social and @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/12/17/i...
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products. Some states are doing something about it.
Important reporting from @amandavhernan.bsky.social and @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/12/17/i...
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products • Stateline
Many incarcerated women face challenges accessing menstrual products, even in facilities that provide them for free.
stateline.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"Officials allowed her only a small ration of menstrual products... On her worst days, she tore up her own T-shirts and used them as makeshift pads"
Behind bars, managing menstruation is difficult, uncomfortable, and often downright dangerous:
Behind bars, managing menstruation is difficult, uncomfortable, and often downright dangerous:
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
Trump just ordered his administration to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. But rescheduling maintains federal criminalization and leaves gaps. That's why we’re pushing for an end to federal marijuana criminalization + comprehensive reforms 🧵
December 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Trump just ordered his administration to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. But rescheduling maintains federal criminalization and leaves gaps. That's why we’re pushing for an end to federal marijuana criminalization + comprehensive reforms 🧵
This is a great reminder that governors can–and SHOULD–use their pardon powers more frequently.
Pardons are powerful and can help fix injustices in the criminal legal system, but, sadly, across the U.S., they're severely underused.
Pardons are powerful and can help fix injustices in the criminal legal system, but, sadly, across the U.S., they're severely underused.
Jelly Roll among the 33 granted pardons by Governor Bill Lee on Thursday
Jelly Roll is among 33 Tennesseans pardoned by Governor Lee. The list also includes Shawn Baker, founder of Freeman Recovery Center, and others who have turned their lives around.
www.newschannel5.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This is a great reminder that governors can–and SHOULD–use their pardon powers more frequently.
Pardons are powerful and can help fix injustices in the criminal legal system, but, sadly, across the U.S., they're severely underused.
Pardons are powerful and can help fix injustices in the criminal legal system, but, sadly, across the U.S., they're severely underused.