Prison Policy Initiative

??New Report: Probation is thought of as an "alternative" to incarceration. But is it actually? Well, 1 in 10 people admitted to state prisons every year have committed no new crime, but have simply broken a rule of their probation – largely because courts & probation agencies impose a standard set of rules on everyone under their supervision, making it all too easy to "fail" and land behind bars. Unfortunately, examining these standard conditions across the US can be difficult because they vary between jurisdictions and use complicated language. To help this effort, we collected &?analyzed the?standard conditions for 76 jurisdictions across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., creating one of the most comprehensive compilations of these rules to date. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gTMtzU9R #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, we wanted to highlight how the carceral system affects Native people across the US. And now, new data shows an alarming trend that extends to tribal lands. Behind Black people, Indigenous people have the second highest rate of incarceration of any racial/ethnic group relative to their share of the general population. The criminal legal system is another example of how the US continues to hurt and fail already vulnerable populations. #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

Today is World Mental Health Day and World Homelessness Day – two issues that are undoubtedly targeted by the criminal legal system in the US. Incarceration is extremely traumatic and can create or worsen existing mental health issues. More than half of people in state prisons report mental health problems, but only 1 in 4 have received professional help in prison. And formerly incarcerated people are 10x more likely to be homeless than the general population – creating a vicious revolving door with the carceral system as more communities criminalize homelessness. Clearly the US' approach to these issues is not working. It's time to focus on housing – not criminalization. It does more than put a roof over people’s heads; housing gives people the space and stability necessary to receive care, escape crises, and improve their quality of life. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-FhZJMQ #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

On Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court dealt another blow to reproductive rights by allowing the state to reinstate its 6-week abortion ban. Now, thousands have lost the right to choose. This ban is especially sinister for women in the carceral system. In Georiga, more than 82,000 women are on probation or parole with travel restrictions – meaning leaving the state for health care services is extremely difficult and sometimes even impossible. And the Peach State is not alone – across the US, 41 states have some kind of abortion ban in place post-Dobbs. In every single one of these states, standard conditions of probation and/or parole require permission to travel out of state, county, or another specified area. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gnYSijcx #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

An alarming number of women in jail are mothers – and the primary or sole caretaker of young children. Beyond having to leave their children in someone else’s care, these women are impacted by the brutal side effects of going to jail: Aggravation of mental health problems, a greater risk of suicide, and a much higher likelihood of ending up homeless or deprived of essential financial benefits. Mass incarceration has a ripple effect and causes trauma that can last generations within a single family. #incarceration #criminaljustice #mothers

When it comes to high-profile arrests, prison life tends to get trivialized by the news cycle. But make no mistake: The carceral system is deeply exploitative, taking advantage of some of the poorest people in society. Prison commissaries, for one, are an essential but unexamined part of prison life. Serving as the core of the prison retail market, commissaries present yet another opportunity for prisons to shift the costs of incarceration to incarcerated people and their families, often enriching private companies in the process. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dyEdMKpW #incarceration #criminaljustice #news

Right now, more than 650,000 people are locked up in jail. Most are legally innocent. This alarming number is the direct result of local bail policies. In fact, the median bail bond amount in the US represents 8 months of income for the typical detained defendant. It's time to stop perpetuating the cycle of poverty and jail time. #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

The arguments for more jail and prison time can seem endless. But if candidates campaigning for office in your community or state push the narrative that more incarceration is a good idea – or even a necessary evil – we’ve got you covered. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geUpAVtM #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

The carceral system should never get to decide who lives and who dies. The death penalty is yet another cruel part of mass incarceration that is riddled with racism. It's an inhumane practice that has no place in a just society.?And unfortunately, last night, the criminal legal system failed us yet again by executing?Marcellus Williams. It's time to end the death penalty. Data via Death Penalty Information Center #incarceration #criminaljustice #data

On Monday, the FBI released new data that shows that crime, including violent crime, has dropped across the country. In general, violent crime has remained remarkably steady over the last 15 years – yet jail & prison populations have continued to climb. The data is clear: No matter how much politicians may try to scare you, reforming the criminal legal system does not lead to more crime. #incarceration #criminaljustice #data