Sentencing Project, The

Justice-Related Issues

The Sentencing Project focuses on seven justice-related issues: sentencing policy, incarceration, racial disparity, felony disenfranchisement, drug policy, female offenders, and collateral consequences. Those issues are broadly defined and are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, many of them are closely interrelated. From the perspective of The Sentencing Project, it is within those issues where evidence is found of unfair and ineffective criminal justice policies and practices.

Sentencing Policy. Tougher sentencing laws and policies that are geared toward minimizing judicial discretion, such as setting mandatory minimum terms, have resulted in a nationwide expansion of the federal and state prison systems.

Incarceration. Prisons and jails house more than 2 million men and women today, and the rate at which offenders are incarcerated has increased steadily for decades.

Racial Disparity. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in prisons and jails. The extent to which minorities are overrepresented in the justice system has increased with the enforcement of laws and policies that are associated with the War on Drugs.

Felony Disenfranchisement. With disproportionate minority representation in prison and the prohibition against voting among convicted felons, millions of U.S. citizens are prohibited from participation in the democratic process.

Drug Policy. The War on Drugs has made drug offenders the largest inmate population in the federal prison system and the fastest-growing inmate group at the state level. Most drug offenders sentenced to prison are low-level offenders without a history of violent criminal conduct.

Female Offenders. Female offenders are sentenced to prison at about twice the rate as their male counterparts. Many female inmates have histories of physical, sexual, and substance abuse. Also, they are often single parents who face many challenges related to the custody of their children while they serve out their incarceration sentences.

Collateral Consequences. Criminal convictions involve more than the legally prescribed penalties. They also involve consequences that result from criminal convictions, such as barriers to certain professions and careers and being disqualified [Page 744]from voting in federal elections, living in federally funded residences, receiving welfare benefits, and obtaining student loans.

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