The Sentencing Project

10/19/2026

In Law360: Bob Libal, a senior campaign strategist at the Sentencing Project, said efforts to reach eligible voters in jail have expanded across the country since 2020, with participation challenging assumptions that people in custody are not interested in casting a vote.

"When eligible voters who are in jails or other detention centers are given the opportunity to vote, they very much want to participate."

For eligible people detained before trial, the right to vote can depend on a tenuous chain of requests to the institution holding them. Across the country, however, election officials and advocates are working to ensure eligible voters can cast a ballot from jail.

10/15/2026

Our latest report examines the legal barriers that people with felony convictions may encounter when seeking to run for public office across the United States and its territories.

While eligibility to run for federal office is set by the U.S. Constitution, which does not bar individuals with felony convictions from running for the presidency or U.S. Congress, eligibility to run for state and local offices varies widely.

Despite the barriers, people with felony convictions have been elected to state and local office. Our report profiles three elected officials with felony convictions, who detail how their experiences have impacted their policymaking, including serving as a voice for communities impacted by the criminal legal system.

Extending eligibility for candidacy is about ensuring that our democracy is truly inclusive and accounts for the experiences of people involved in the criminal legal system:

This report examines the legal barriers that people with felony convictions may encounter when seeking to run for office across the U.S.

10/09/2026

Don't miss NACDL's 25th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference! This FREE, live virtual conference runs October 20-22, bringing together defense attorneys, policymakers, and advocates to learn from experts on key state criminal justice policy topics.

This year's panels cover:

• Extreme sentencing
• The trial penalty in California
• Reforming prosecutorial absolute immunity
• Race and drug testing during pregnancy
• AI and other technology to surveil and criminalize youth
• Competency to stand trial

Learn more and register: https://buff.ly/z4CQXzx

10/07/2026

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

Our fight for justice is powered by community!

Thank you Tom Morello and everyone that stopped by the Freedom Village at Power To The People Festival to learn more about The Sentencing Project!

10/07/2026

CAN’T MISS! ‼️Join us Monday, October 12 at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza for an exclusive screening and discussion of Crime and Punishment in America, a new documentary series from PBS. ✊⚖️

Be there with us, Maryland Public Television, The Sentencing Project, The Gault Center, League of Women Voters of Maryland, MD Office of the Public Defender, Scholars Strategy Network, Silver Spring Justice Coalition - SSJC and more to learn from our past in order to envision a better future of what true justice can and should look like in our country.

Save your FREE seat ➡️ link in comments.

10/06/2026

Earlier this year, Virginia lawmakers voted to place a measure on the November ballot to automatically restore voting rights to people when they exit prison.

On NPR Morning Edition, our Senior Director of Advocacy Nicole D. Porter highlighted the history of felony disenfranchisement in the state and the impact of rights restoration.

Virginia has been one of the toughest places for someone convicted of a felony to get their voting rights back. An amendment to the state constitution -- on November's ballot -- would change that.

10/05/2026

Education for system-involved young people must expand beyond the classroom.

Our first focus for Youth Justice Action Month is on Education & Empowerment.

Every young person deserves opportunities to learn, grow, discover their strengths, and envision a future beyond justice system involvement.

When we invest in education, mentorship, workforce development, and opportunities for young people to lead, we aren't just supporting individual youth—we're strengthening entire communities.

Learn all the ways you can take action this month: youthjusticeactionmonth.org

10/02/2026