Ending 50 Years of Mass Incarceration: Urgent Reform Needed to Protect Future Generations - Figure 1. Historical and Projected U.S. State and Federal Prison Population,

Rapid Buildup, Modest Decline facilities fell from a peak of 109,000 in 2000 to 25,000 in 2020, a 77% decline.7 Some states are well on their way During the buildup of mass incarceration, between 1972 to achieving this level of decarceration in adult prisons and 2009, the prison population grew an average of 5.8% as well (see Figure 3). [...] Given the dire consequences of mass incarceration and Past reforms have reduced the number of people impris- the breadth of evidence of its limited, and sometimes oned for a drug offense by 46% between peak year 2007 counterproductive, impact on public safety, the pace and 2020 (see Figure 5). [...] What is more, af- and murder—sentencing relief remains elusive.22 Overall, ter intensifying decarceration to mitigate the impact of the number of people imprisoned for a violent offense COVID in 2020,16 the federal system and 12 states grew has declined by only 10% between peak year 2009 and their sentenced prison populations in 2021. [...] The federal 2020, despite violent crimes falling by 50% between prison system expanded 3% in 2021, and continued to peak year 1991 and 2020.23 Longer prison terms have grow in 2022.17 prevented this segment of the prison population from contracting amidst the historic crime drop.24 A key driver of mass incarceration has been the dramatic Meaningful Decarceration Requires growth in length of impris. [...] The campaign raises awareness about the dire state of the criminal legal system in the country, the devastating impact of incarceration on communities and families, and proposes more effective The Sentencing Project crime prevention strategies for our country.