Prison Policy Initiative
@prisonpolicy.org
Challenging mass incarceration and over-criminalization through research, advocacy, and organizing. Get email updates: https://prisonpolicy.org/subscribe/
Pinned
🚨NEW REPORT: Parole is one of the most powerful release mechanisms that could significantly reduce the number of people behind bars. But across the U.S., parole systems are dysfunctional, to say the least.
We examine how parole boards work, and how parole decisions are made 🧵
We examine how parole boards work, and how parole decisions are made 🧵
Reminder this Veterans Day: While comprehensive data on the relationship between military service & incarceration is not available, one thing is clear -
The U.S. has left many veterans behind & does not provide enough support for one of the most vulnerable populations. 🧵
The U.S. has left many veterans behind & does not provide enough support for one of the most vulnerable populations. 🧵
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reminder this Veterans Day: While comprehensive data on the relationship between military service & incarceration is not available, one thing is clear -
The U.S. has left many veterans behind & does not provide enough support for one of the most vulnerable populations. 🧵
The U.S. has left many veterans behind & does not provide enough support for one of the most vulnerable populations. 🧵
The U.S. spends $13.6 billion every year locking people up who haven't even been convicted of a crime.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The U.S. spends $13.6 billion every year locking people up who haven't even been convicted of a crime.
📣 Did you know our Advocacy Dept. can provide free research help & technical support on projects across all stages of the system?
From pre-arrest diversion to post-conviction issues, we're here to help other orgs in the fight to end mass incarceration 👇
prisonpolicy.org/trainings/
From pre-arrest diversion to post-conviction issues, we're here to help other orgs in the fight to end mass incarceration 👇
prisonpolicy.org/trainings/
Advocacy Toolkit
We've put together tools to help you stop mass incarceration in your community
prisonpolicy.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
📣 Did you know our Advocacy Dept. can provide free research help & technical support on projects across all stages of the system?
From pre-arrest diversion to post-conviction issues, we're here to help other orgs in the fight to end mass incarceration 👇
prisonpolicy.org/trainings/
From pre-arrest diversion to post-conviction issues, we're here to help other orgs in the fight to end mass incarceration 👇
prisonpolicy.org/trainings/
Each year, thousands of pregnant people are incarcerated – yet some states fail to provide basic care and necessary accommodations during pregnancy.
Locking up pregnant people does not leave anyone better off.
Locking up pregnant people does not leave anyone better off.
November 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Each year, thousands of pregnant people are incarcerated – yet some states fail to provide basic care and necessary accommodations during pregnancy.
Locking up pregnant people does not leave anyone better off.
Locking up pregnant people does not leave anyone better off.
13,300 confined children in the U.S. are detained pretrial – aka, they’re legally innocent
Locking kids up in deplorable conditions is traumatizing and counterproductive to public safety in the short & long term
Locking kids up in deplorable conditions is traumatizing and counterproductive to public safety in the short & long term
November 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM
13,300 confined children in the U.S. are detained pretrial – aka, they’re legally innocent
Locking kids up in deplorable conditions is traumatizing and counterproductive to public safety in the short & long term
Locking kids up in deplorable conditions is traumatizing and counterproductive to public safety in the short & long term
Reminder: Crime in the U.S. is at its lowest since 1961.
November 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reminder: Crime in the U.S. is at its lowest since 1961.
The idea that incarceration is a problem unique to big cities is a myth.
Take a look at New York: People in state prisons come from every corner of the state, but upstate counties send the most people to prison per capita.
#30DayMapChallenge | Day 8 - Urban
Take a look at New York: People in state prisons come from every corner of the state, but upstate counties send the most people to prison per capita.
#30DayMapChallenge | Day 8 - Urban
November 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The idea that incarceration is a problem unique to big cities is a myth.
Take a look at New York: People in state prisons come from every corner of the state, but upstate counties send the most people to prison per capita.
#30DayMapChallenge | Day 8 - Urban
Take a look at New York: People in state prisons come from every corner of the state, but upstate counties send the most people to prison per capita.
#30DayMapChallenge | Day 8 - Urban
Each year, one-third of jail admissions are for misdemeanor charges.
Yes, this includes charges for behaviors like jaywalking or even sitting on a sidewalk – and, evidently, throwing a sandwich.
Yes, this includes charges for behaviors like jaywalking or even sitting on a sidewalk – and, evidently, throwing a sandwich.
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Each year, one-third of jail admissions are for misdemeanor charges.
Yes, this includes charges for behaviors like jaywalking or even sitting on a sidewalk – and, evidently, throwing a sandwich.
Yes, this includes charges for behaviors like jaywalking or even sitting on a sidewalk – and, evidently, throwing a sandwich.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
⚖️ The Trump administration is firing scores of immigration judges, many w/ a background in defending immigrants, while hiring new judges tied to DHS, ICE, & the military.
For many, this isn’t just a reshuffle.
It’s a restructuring of who gets to decide who stays in the U.S.🧵
For many, this isn’t just a reshuffle.
It’s a restructuring of who gets to decide who stays in the U.S.🧵
November 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
⚖️ The Trump administration is firing scores of immigration judges, many w/ a background in defending immigrants, while hiring new judges tied to DHS, ICE, & the military.
For many, this isn’t just a reshuffle.
It’s a restructuring of who gets to decide who stays in the U.S.🧵
For many, this isn’t just a reshuffle.
It’s a restructuring of who gets to decide who stays in the U.S.🧵
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are incarcerated at 3x the rate of straight people, despite only making up a fraction of the total population.
Jails & prisons are not safe places — especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
Jails & prisons are not safe places — especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are incarcerated at 3x the rate of straight people, despite only making up a fraction of the total population.
Jails & prisons are not safe places — especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
Jails & prisons are not safe places — especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
Nearly a million incarcerated people depend on rural hospitals for care – but now, thanks to Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' many of those hospitals are at risk of closing
This will devastate entire communities, including people behind bars
More here👇
This will devastate entire communities, including people behind bars
More here👇
When Rural Hospitals Close, Incarcerated People Lose Healthcare - WORT-FM 89.9
Today’s guests talk about how Medicaid cuts will reduce access to life-saving healthcare for incarcerated people in rural areas.
www.wortfm.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Nearly a million incarcerated people depend on rural hospitals for care – but now, thanks to Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' many of those hospitals are at risk of closing
This will devastate entire communities, including people behind bars
More here👇
This will devastate entire communities, including people behind bars
More here👇
Native women are disproportionately affected by every part of the system. They account for a larger portion of the Indian country jail population than they do in other jails across the US.
They’re also incarcerated at higher rates than women of any other racial or ethnic group.
They’re also incarcerated at higher rates than women of any other racial or ethnic group.
November 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Native women are disproportionately affected by every part of the system. They account for a larger portion of the Indian country jail population than they do in other jails across the US.
They’re also incarcerated at higher rates than women of any other racial or ethnic group.
They’re also incarcerated at higher rates than women of any other racial or ethnic group.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
🎙️Emily Widra of the @prisonpolicy.org and James Morgan of MOSES Madison talk about the inequities of the carceral system and how Medicaid cuts will reduce access to life-saving healthcare for incarcerated people in rural areas.
Listen here: www.wortfm.org/when-rural-h...
Listen here: www.wortfm.org/when-rural-h...
When Rural Hospitals Close, Incarcerated People Lose Healthcare - WORT-FM 89.9
Today’s guests talk about how Medicaid cuts will reduce access to life-saving healthcare for incarcerated people in rural areas.
www.wortfm.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
🎙️Emily Widra of the @prisonpolicy.org and James Morgan of MOSES Madison talk about the inequities of the carceral system and how Medicaid cuts will reduce access to life-saving healthcare for incarcerated people in rural areas.
Listen here: www.wortfm.org/when-rural-h...
Listen here: www.wortfm.org/when-rural-h...
The ugly truth about the "big beautiful bill:" It will come with the closure of many rural hospitals.
This will have disastrous consequences for entire communities across the U.S. – especially incarcerated people who have no choice about where they receive medical care.
This will have disastrous consequences for entire communities across the U.S. – especially incarcerated people who have no choice about where they receive medical care.
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The ugly truth about the "big beautiful bill:" It will come with the closure of many rural hospitals.
This will have disastrous consequences for entire communities across the U.S. – especially incarcerated people who have no choice about where they receive medical care.
This will have disastrous consequences for entire communities across the U.S. – especially incarcerated people who have no choice about where they receive medical care.
Older people now make up 5x as much of the prison population as they did 3 decades ago.
Turning prisons into “makeshift nursing homes” is one of the nation’s most wasteful, morally bankrupt experiments to date.
Turning prisons into “makeshift nursing homes” is one of the nation’s most wasteful, morally bankrupt experiments to date.
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Older people now make up 5x as much of the prison population as they did 3 decades ago.
Turning prisons into “makeshift nursing homes” is one of the nation’s most wasteful, morally bankrupt experiments to date.
Turning prisons into “makeshift nursing homes” is one of the nation’s most wasteful, morally bankrupt experiments to date.
Nearly half of people with multiple arrests have incomes below $10,000/year, according to 2017 data.
The carceral system perpetuates poverty. It's time to support communities instead of locking them up.
The carceral system perpetuates poverty. It's time to support communities instead of locking them up.
November 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Nearly half of people with multiple arrests have incomes below $10,000/year, according to 2017 data.
The carceral system perpetuates poverty. It's time to support communities instead of locking them up.
The carceral system perpetuates poverty. It's time to support communities instead of locking them up.
Reposted by Prison Policy Initiative
At least 20 people have died in ICE custody in 2025, making this year the deadliest in decades. With increases to ICE’s funding, workforce, and detention space, the system riddled with abuse and neglect will undoubtedly be more life-threatening in 2026.
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
It's the deadliest year for people in ICE custody in decades; next year could be worse
There have been at least 20 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2004. As the agency is ramping up hiring and increasing detentions, concerns remain about how to stop the trend.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM
At least 20 people have died in ICE custody in 2025, making this year the deadliest in decades. With increases to ICE’s funding, workforce, and detention space, the system riddled with abuse and neglect will undoubtedly be more life-threatening in 2026.
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
"In Idaho prisons, more than two dozen women say guards prey on them with little fear of consequences — and those who speak up are often punished."
The U.S. is a leader in women's incarceration, and behind bars, women are anything but safe. 🧵
The U.S. is a leader in women's incarceration, and behind bars, women are anything but safe. 🧵
Staff sex abuse in Idaho women’s prisons largely unchecked
InvestigateWest reporting exposes sexual abuse by guards, retaliation against victims and a system that fails to track the scope of the problem
www.investigatewest.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
"In Idaho prisons, more than two dozen women say guards prey on them with little fear of consequences — and those who speak up are often punished."
The U.S. is a leader in women's incarceration, and behind bars, women are anything but safe. 🧵
The U.S. is a leader in women's incarceration, and behind bars, women are anything but safe. 🧵
An #ElectionDay reminder: 4 million people in the U.S. have been stripped of their right to vote due to a felony conviction.
Is that what democracy is supposed to look like?
Is that what democracy is supposed to look like?
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
An #ElectionDay reminder: 4 million people in the U.S. have been stripped of their right to vote due to a felony conviction.
Is that what democracy is supposed to look like?
Is that what democracy is supposed to look like?
Prisons & jails are already inherently harmful, and placing people in solitary confinement can be lethal to their mental health:
November 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Prisons & jails are already inherently harmful, and placing people in solitary confinement can be lethal to their mental health:
Today, 1 in 5 formerly incarcerated people is experiencing food insecurity. That's at least 1 million people nationwide.
We should be making it easier for vulnerable people to access healthy food, not harder.
We should be making it easier for vulnerable people to access healthy food, not harder.
November 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Today, 1 in 5 formerly incarcerated people is experiencing food insecurity. That's at least 1 million people nationwide.
We should be making it easier for vulnerable people to access healthy food, not harder.
We should be making it easier for vulnerable people to access healthy food, not harder.
Harm is real – mass support for mass incarceration is not.
November 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Harm is real – mass support for mass incarceration is not.
Across the US, 113 million adults have an immediate family member who has ever been to prison or jail.
Mass incarceration has far-reaching consequences that don't stop at the prison gates.
Mass incarceration has far-reaching consequences that don't stop at the prison gates.
November 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Across the US, 113 million adults have an immediate family member who has ever been to prison or jail.
Mass incarceration has far-reaching consequences that don't stop at the prison gates.
Mass incarceration has far-reaching consequences that don't stop at the prison gates.
The national incarceration rate of Native Americans is more than double that of white Americans.
For Native youth, the confinement rate is approximately THREE TIMES that of white youth.
For Native youth, the confinement rate is approximately THREE TIMES that of white youth.
November 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The national incarceration rate of Native Americans is more than double that of white Americans.
For Native youth, the confinement rate is approximately THREE TIMES that of white youth.
For Native youth, the confinement rate is approximately THREE TIMES that of white youth.
🚨NEW: Everyone in Georgia is supposed to have an equal voice, but an outdated US Census Bureau policy counts incarcerated people in the wrong place, giving a few residents a megaphone – aka prison gerrymandering
The state can fix this. Here's how👇
www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/10...
The state can fix this. Here's how👇
www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/10...
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🚨NEW: Everyone in Georgia is supposed to have an equal voice, but an outdated US Census Bureau policy counts incarcerated people in the wrong place, giving a few residents a megaphone – aka prison gerrymandering
The state can fix this. Here's how👇
www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/10...
The state can fix this. Here's how👇
www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/10...