The Sentencing Project
@sentencingproject.bsky.social
The Sentencing Project has been fighting for a fair & effective justice system since 1986.
In @apnews.com: “As long as we’ve looked at data for Washington state, Native youth are much, much more likely to be incarcerated than their white peers."—The Sentencing Project's Josh Rovner
Native American children more likely to be arrested, jailed in Washington state, data shows
For the past 30 years, it’s been clear: Native American children in Washington state are far more likely to be arrested and jailed than white kids.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:06 PM
In @apnews.com: “As long as we’ve looked at data for Washington state, Native youth are much, much more likely to be incarcerated than their white peers."—The Sentencing Project's Josh Rovner
Felony murder laws compel harsh decades-long–or even life–sentences even when the person charged did not directly cause or intend the loss of life.
John Oliver takes a closer look on these laws on the latest ep of @lastweektonight.com: youtube.com/watch?v=Y93ljB7sfco
John Oliver takes a closer look on these laws on the latest ep of @lastweektonight.com: youtube.com/watch?v=Y93ljB7sfco
This week’s main story is about how you can legally wind up in prison for murder without actually killing anyone, and why Alabama’s official state motto should be a derogatory “Yep.” Full segment at the link in our bio.
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Felony murder laws compel harsh decades-long–or even life–sentences even when the person charged did not directly cause or intend the loss of life.
John Oliver takes a closer look on these laws on the latest ep of @lastweektonight.com: youtube.com/watch?v=Y93ljB7sfco
John Oliver takes a closer look on these laws on the latest ep of @lastweektonight.com: youtube.com/watch?v=Y93ljB7sfco
Our issue briefs on diversion provide detailed guidance for advocates & system leaders interested in expanding and improving the use of diversion as an alternative to arrest or formal prosecution in juvenile court: bit.ly/4aCQcUU
Diversion: The Next Frontier in Reforming Youth Justice – The Sentencing Project
Featured Campaign Second Look Network Ending mass incarceration requires taking a second look at extreme sentences. Learn more about our coalition of legal professionals providing direct representation to incarcerated individuals seeking relief from len...
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Our issue briefs on diversion provide detailed guidance for advocates & system leaders interested in expanding and improving the use of diversion as an alternative to arrest or formal prosecution in juvenile court: bit.ly/4aCQcUU
This year, The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) received The Sentencing Project's Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award!
Learn more about YASP's work building a movement to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults and creating a world without youth incarceration:
Learn more about YASP's work building a movement to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults and creating a world without youth incarceration:
2025 Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award
YouTube video by thesentencingproject
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This year, The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) received The Sentencing Project's Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award!
Learn more about YASP's work building a movement to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults and creating a world without youth incarceration:
Learn more about YASP's work building a movement to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults and creating a world without youth incarceration:
Join us tomorrow (11/6) at 1PM ET for The Sentencing Project's virtual Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award, where we will honor The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project!
RSVP: sentproj.org/MauerRacialJusticeAward
RSVP: sentproj.org/MauerRacialJusticeAward
November 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Join us tomorrow (11/6) at 1PM ET for The Sentencing Project's virtual Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award, where we will honor The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project!
RSVP: sentproj.org/MauerRacialJusticeAward
RSVP: sentproj.org/MauerRacialJusticeAward
Reposted by The Sentencing Project
Check out this new brief w/ @sentencingproject.bsky.social on how to get people w/ convictions who can vote out to the polls! W/ @blibal.bsky.social @nicoledporter.bsky.social #RobStewart
Summarizes existing and emerging research that partners w/ community orgs already doing the work!
Summarizes existing and emerging research that partners w/ community orgs already doing the work!
October 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Check out this new brief w/ @sentencingproject.bsky.social on how to get people w/ convictions who can vote out to the polls! W/ @blibal.bsky.social @nicoledporter.bsky.social #RobStewart
Summarizes existing and emerging research that partners w/ community orgs already doing the work!
Summarizes existing and emerging research that partners w/ community orgs already doing the work!
Maine & Vermont are the only states that allow people in prison to vote but incarcerated voters in those states still face confusing absentee voting processes, and lack access to candidate information and key election dates.
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/4nPzHf1
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/4nPzHf1
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Maine & Vermont are the only states that allow people in prison to vote but incarcerated voters in those states still face confusing absentee voting processes, and lack access to candidate information and key election dates.
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/4nPzHf1
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/4nPzHf1
Maryland’s Second Look Act offers a path to justice—giving people the chance to petition for sentence review after decades behind bars.
Your voice matters. Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/3L9ZnnJ
Your voice matters. Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/3L9ZnnJ
October 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Maryland’s Second Look Act offers a path to justice—giving people the chance to petition for sentence review after decades behind bars.
Your voice matters. Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/3L9ZnnJ
Your voice matters. Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/3L9ZnnJ
As #YJAM2025 comes to an end, this week reminds us of the power of being United and Building a Better Future. Transforming youth justice requires collaboration across communities, policymakers, and systems. Together, we can create a future rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity. #UnitedForAction
October 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
As #YJAM2025 comes to an end, this week reminds us of the power of being United and Building a Better Future. Transforming youth justice requires collaboration across communities, policymakers, and systems. Together, we can create a future rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity. #UnitedForAction
In 2024, four million Americans were banned from voting due to a felony conviction. We're committed to expanding voting rights in every state & working with state partners to provide specific data on state felony disenfranchisement. bit.ly/3kGns8t
www.sentencingproject.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In 2024, four million Americans were banned from voting due to a felony conviction. We're committed to expanding voting rights in every state & working with state partners to provide specific data on state felony disenfranchisement. bit.ly/3kGns8t
#ICYMI: A replay of our webinar on voting from prison is now available.
Hear what we've learned & continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration. https://bit.ly/42TeVCv
Hear what we've learned & continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration. https://bit.ly/42TeVCv
Voting from Prison: Learning from Maine, Vermont, and Washington, DC
Very few places in the United States allow incarcerated people completing a felony sentence to vote. Incarcerated people in Maine, Vermont, and Washington, DC retain their right to cast a ballot in elections. As a follow-up to The Sentencing Project’s r...
bit.ly
October 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
#ICYMI: A replay of our webinar on voting from prison is now available.
Hear what we've learned & continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration. https://bit.ly/42TeVCv
Hear what we've learned & continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration. https://bit.ly/42TeVCv
When youth lead, systems change. When youth are heard, communities heal. This #YJAM2025, we’re #UnitedForAction by centering youth voices.
October 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
When youth lead, systems change. When youth are heard, communities heal. This #YJAM2025, we’re #UnitedForAction by centering youth voices.
Our Executive Director Kara Gotsch joined The Legal Lens Show with Angela Reddock-Wright for a discussion on current challenges in sentencing and criminal justice reform.
Listen to the full podcast episode: bit.ly/4hqBbcP
Listen to the full podcast episode: bit.ly/4hqBbcP
October 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Our Executive Director Kara Gotsch joined The Legal Lens Show with Angela Reddock-Wright for a discussion on current challenges in sentencing and criminal justice reform.
Listen to the full podcast episode: bit.ly/4hqBbcP
Listen to the full podcast episode: bit.ly/4hqBbcP
As federal efforts threaten justice reform, states are stepping up.
Our updated Second Look Movement report shows how second look laws are transforming lives—giving courts the power to revisit harsh sentences and recognize rehabilitation: bit.ly/3wzLEjk
Our updated Second Look Movement report shows how second look laws are transforming lives—giving courts the power to revisit harsh sentences and recognize rehabilitation: bit.ly/3wzLEjk
October 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
As federal efforts threaten justice reform, states are stepping up.
Our updated Second Look Movement report shows how second look laws are transforming lives—giving courts the power to revisit harsh sentences and recognize rehabilitation: bit.ly/3wzLEjk
Our updated Second Look Movement report shows how second look laws are transforming lives—giving courts the power to revisit harsh sentences and recognize rehabilitation: bit.ly/3wzLEjk
OCT 23 @ 1PM ET: Join us for a virtual discussion on what we have learned and continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration.
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
October 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
OCT 23 @ 1PM ET: Join us for a virtual discussion on what we have learned and continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration.
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
Reposted by The Sentencing Project
Communities thrive when we invest in people, not prisons. This week we are united for community investments - championing support for youth, schools, and families. #YJAM2025 #UnitedforCommunityInvestments
October 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Communities thrive when we invest in people, not prisons. This week we are united for community investments - championing support for youth, schools, and families. #YJAM2025 #UnitedforCommunityInvestments
Maine & Vermont are the only states that allow people in prison to vote but incarcerated voters in those states still face confusing absentee voting processes, and lack access to candidate information and key election dates.
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/473A9Pc
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/473A9Pc
October 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Maine & Vermont are the only states that allow people in prison to vote but incarcerated voters in those states still face confusing absentee voting processes, and lack access to candidate information and key election dates.
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/473A9Pc
The right to vote means nothing without real access! bit.ly/473A9Pc
OCT 23 @ 1PM ET: Join us for a virtual discussion on what we have learned and continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration.
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
October 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
OCT 23 @ 1PM ET: Join us for a virtual discussion on what we have learned and continue to learn from formerly and currently incarcerated people, advocates and changemakers, and Department of Corrections staff about accessing democracy during incarceration.
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
sentproj.org/voting-from-prison-webinar
This #YJAM2025, let’s stay #UnitedForCommunityInvestments and push for reauthorization of the JJDPA to ensure youth, families, and communities continue to receive the support they need. Stronger communities mean safer communities. #JJDPAMatters
October 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
This #YJAM2025, let’s stay #UnitedForCommunityInvestments and push for reauthorization of the JJDPA to ensure youth, families, and communities continue to receive the support they need. Stronger communities mean safer communities. #JJDPAMatters
It’s time our laws reflected what we know: young people serving long sentences grow up and deserve a second chance — not a lifetime behind bars.
Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/4nwZzvv
Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/4nwZzvv
October 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It’s time our laws reflected what we know: young people serving long sentences grow up and deserve a second chance — not a lifetime behind bars.
Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/4nwZzvv
Learn how you can support second chances and the movement for fairer sentencing: bit.ly/4nwZzvv
“Even if this bill doesn't progress in the Senate, it’s part of a broader trend of normalizing mandatory minimums – particularly in the context of immigration. Even a more modest bill could have dramatic impacts that BOP doesn't have the capacity to handle & which will not benefit public safety.”
Republican bill targets migrants who re-enter US illegally with mandatory 10-year sentences
Critics of new GOP act say it is a ‘mass incarceration bill’ that forces harsh penalties on migrants for a non-violent offense
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:31 PM
“Even if this bill doesn't progress in the Senate, it’s part of a broader trend of normalizing mandatory minimums – particularly in the context of immigration. Even a more modest bill could have dramatic impacts that BOP doesn't have the capacity to handle & which will not benefit public safety.”
Reposted by The Sentencing Project
Calling all Maryland libraries and bookstores 📣 It's Youth Justice Action Month! Help us spread the word this October. Find the YJAM reading list at bit.ly/YJAMReading.
Share this post with your favorite local library or bookstore!
#YJAM2025 #UnitedForAction #UnitedForUnderstanding
Share this post with your favorite local library or bookstore!
#YJAM2025 #UnitedForAction #UnitedForUnderstanding
October 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Calling all Maryland libraries and bookstores 📣 It's Youth Justice Action Month! Help us spread the word this October. Find the YJAM reading list at bit.ly/YJAMReading.
Share this post with your favorite local library or bookstore!
#YJAM2025 #UnitedForAction #UnitedForUnderstanding
Share this post with your favorite local library or bookstore!
#YJAM2025 #UnitedForAction #UnitedForUnderstanding
In our new report, we discuss how overbroad federal laws allow federal authorities to prosecute offenses normally left to local prosecutors, including street crimes and even minor offenses. This over-federalization threatens democracy and increases incarceration.
Over-Federalization: Federal Intrusion Into State Criminal Law – The Sentencing Project
The expanding encroachment of federal criminal law on traditionally local offenses threatens justice, equity, and local democracy.
www.sentencingproject.org
October 1, 2025 at 9:49 PM
In our new report, we discuss how overbroad federal laws allow federal authorities to prosecute offenses normally left to local prosecutors, including street crimes and even minor offenses. This over-federalization threatens democracy and increases incarceration.
This October, we come together for #YJAM2025 under the theme United for Action – A Call for Unity!
We’re excited to highlight ways you can get involved thanks to our friends at National Youth Justice Network and Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Here’s how you can take action: bit.ly/3IOZQLi
We’re excited to highlight ways you can get involved thanks to our friends at National Youth Justice Network and Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Here’s how you can take action: bit.ly/3IOZQLi
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
This October, we come together for #YJAM2025 under the theme United for Action – A Call for Unity!
We’re excited to highlight ways you can get involved thanks to our friends at National Youth Justice Network and Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Here’s how you can take action: bit.ly/3IOZQLi
We’re excited to highlight ways you can get involved thanks to our friends at National Youth Justice Network and Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Here’s how you can take action: bit.ly/3IOZQLi
#ICYMI: Our virtual discussion highlighting the importance of improving justice system responses to youth gun possession is now available to watch online.
From Punishment to Prevention: A Better Approach to Addressing Youth Gun Possession
YouTube video by thesentencingproject
www.youtube.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:07 PM
#ICYMI: Our virtual discussion highlighting the importance of improving justice system responses to youth gun possession is now available to watch online.