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Over-Federalization

Federal Intrusion Into State Criminal Law

Overbroad federal laws allow federal authorities to prosecute offenses normally left to local prosecutors, including street crimes and even minor offenses. The expanding encroachment of federal criminal law on traditionally local offenses threatens justice, equity, and local democracy. This brief offers solutions to halt over-federalization and begin to undo some of its injustices.

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Sentencing Reform

Key Publications

Report

Justice Delayed: The Growing Wait for Parole After a Life Sentence

Nearly half of the roughly 200,000 people serving life sentences in 2024 are eligible for parole, but endure extended delays in the parole process – from the wait for initial eligibility to the wait for reconsideration following a denial.

By Sabrina Pearce on

Webinar

The Eugenic Origins of Three Strikes Laws

The Sentencing Project hosted a discussion to explore the relationship between the American eugenics movement and “habitual offender” laws, the barriers these laws continue to impose, their disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities, and how attorneys have utilized the truth of the eugenics movement to continue advocating for their client’s rights to lesser sentences and freedom.

Report

A Matter of Life: The Scope and Impact of Life and Long Term Imprisonment in the United States

One in six people in prison – nearly 200,000 people nationwide – are serving life sentences. This comprehensive 50-state report examines the prevalence and implications of life sentences across the country, highlighting the disproportionate impact of such extreme sentences on people of color and the inefficacy of punitive measures in improving community safety.

By Ashley Nellis and Celeste Barry on

There may be those who make the argument that someone has been incarcerated so long that they cannot function in society, so they should remain in prison. Shame on us if we’ve incarcerated someone so long that it becomes a reason why they need to continue to be incarcerated. Shame on us if we’re not preparing people to come out into society.

Andrew Hundley
Executive Director of the Louisiana Parole Project
Sentencing reform

Amicus Brief Challenging Felony Murder Liability Without Culpable Mens Rea

The Sentencing Project joined an amicus brief challenging the constitutionality of a felony murder conviction where the underlying felony offense did not involve a culpable mens rea.

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Webinar

Fighting Mass Incarceration in the 119th Congress

This webinar helped the public learn more about how they can take action to end extreme sentencing, expand voting rights, and promote youth justice.

Click here to watch.

Get involved

Toolkit for Fighting Mass Incarceration in the 119th Congress

Join us in fighting mass incarceration. Learn about our priorities in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) and advocate for them with your legislators. Our toolkit will guide you through how to meet with your representatives, advocate at town halls, write Op-Eds, and more.

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