Advocacy
Maryland passes Second Look Act
Maryland has taken a meaningful step toward advancing justice, redemption, and community safety. The Second Look Act creates a pathway for Marylanders to petition for a judicial review after serving at least 20 years behind bars for those who committed their offense under the age of 25. It could impact at least 1,000 individuals serving parole-eligible life sentences or sentences up to 50 years or longer.
Explore our advocacy campaigns
The Sentencing Project advocates for effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. We are guided by a strategic focus on racial justice and a commitment to amplifying the work, voices and leadership of directly impacted individuals, families and communities. Learn more about our advocacy priorities below.
End Extreme Sentences
The Sentencing Project supports advocacy efforts in at least seven jurisdictions – including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington DC – to advance sentencing reforms that promote community safety and reduce ineffective overreliance on incarceration. Campaign activities include coalition leadership, public event coordination, inside/out strategy support, strategic communications, and tailored research and data analysis.
Webinar: Fighting Mass Incarceration in the 119th Congress
The Sentencing Project released a federal advocacy toolkit with our key legislative priorities for the 119th Congress. We hosted a webinar for others to learn more about how they can take action to end extreme sentencing, expand voting rights, and promote youth justice. Federal advocates spoke about how to make an impact on congressional staff, the power of faith-based advocacy, the outlook for justice reform in Congress this session, and more.
Legal Advocacy
The Sentencing Project’s research helps drive sentencing reform in the courts. Our research is regularly cited in litigation striving to end extreme sentencing and we partner with leading impact litigation organizations to file strategic amicus briefs. Our Second Look Network provides direct legal representation to incarcerated individuals seeking relief from lengthy or unfair sentences.
State Wins
Michigan Bans Mandatory LWOP for People Under 21
Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled that mandatorily sentencing people under 21 to life without parole is unconstitutionally harsh and disproportionate punishment under the state Constitution.
Racial Justice Fund Grants
In response to the murder of George Floyd, The Sentencing Project established a Racial Justice Fund (RJF) to support our state advocacy partners. Since 2021, we have funded 47 grants to grassroots organizations across 23 jurisdictions. These targeted grants provide our partners with the support needed to build their capacity and increase the scope of their impact.
Commentary by The Sentencing Project
Make the Second Look Act a key part of prison reforms
Youth justice reform is a path to safer communities
Maryland lawmakers worsened criminal justice in three ways this year
Join the Movement
The Sentencing Project and a coalition of advocates, experts, and partners launched a public education campaign, 50 Years and a Wake Up: Ending The Mass Incarceration Crisis In America. 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 crime prevention strategies for our country.
