Legislation that can shrink the criminal legal system and make it more fair.
Prison Policy Initiative updates for November 19, 2025 Exposing how mass incarceration harms communities and our national welfare
34 criminal legal system reforms that can win in 2026 [[link removed]] We offer our yearly list of impactful reforms that can - and have - succeeded in state legislatures, including links to research and model bills. [[link removed]]
With the federal government abandoning proven public safety strategies and doubling down on punishment, [[link removed]] the work of state policymakers and advocates to shrink the criminal legal system and make it fairer is even more important. This morning, the Prison Policy Initiative released its 2026 edition of Winnable Criminal Justice Reforms, [[link removed]] a report designed to give state and local change-makers the background they need to emulate existing and effective reforms.
For each of the reforms in the report, we provide critical context about the existing problem, explain why change would be impactful, and highlight research, model solutions, and legislation to help advocates and lawmakers get started.
This year’s report includes 34 vital reform strategies, in eight categories:
Expanding alternatives to criminal legal system responses to social problems [[link removed]] Protecting the presumption of innocence so people receive a fair shot at justice [[link removed]] Decreasing the length of prison sentences and providing pathways for all people to exit prison [[link removed]] Treating people humanely during incarceration [[link removed]] Treating people on community supervision fairly, and keeping them thriving in the community [[link removed]] Setting people up to succeed when they exit prisons and jails [[link removed]] Giving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people political representation and voice [[link removed]] Reducing spending on the criminal legal system and increasing investment in communities [[link removed]]
The list is not intended to be a comprehensive platform. Instead, we’ve curated it to offer straightforward solutions that do not require further investments in the carceral system. We particularly focused on reforms that would reduce the number of people needlessly confined in prisons and jails. Additionally, we selected reforms that have gained momentum in recent years, passing in multiple states.
We recognize that as we publish this guide, many advocates are working tirelessly not just to pass much-needed reforms, but to beat back coordinated attacks against prior victories. For that reason, we’ve also included some talking points to use to fight against these regressive policies that threaten to undo decades of work by advocates.
We sent our report to roughly 650 lawmakers, in all 50 states, from all political parties, who have shown a commitment to reducing the number of people behind bars in their state and making the criminal legal system more just and equitable. As they craft legislation for the upcoming legislative sessions, this list will provide them with actionable solutions to some of the most pressing challenges their states’ criminal legal systems face.
The full report is available at: [[link removed]].
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Our work is made possible by private donations. Can you help us keep going? We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!
Other news: Menstruation as misconduct: How prisons punish people for having their periods [[link removed]]
Our analysis of prison rules and sanctions across all fifty states [[link removed]] and the federal system — as well as accounts of incarcerated people — reveals troubling trends in how the carceral system punishes people for a physiological process they have no control over.
Fourteen states ripe for prison gerrymandering reform [[link removed]]
With the 2030 Census looming, now is the time for states to adopt policies to end prison gerrymandering — a practice that gives communities that contain prisons more political power, at the expense of everyone else..
In this new briefing [[link removed]], we've identified 14 states that are ripe for reform and explain how lawmakers can get it done.
Please support our work [[link removed]]
Our work is made possible by private donations. Can you help us keep going? We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!
Our other newsletters Ending prison gerrymandering ( archives [[link removed]]) Criminal justice research library ( archives [[link removed]])
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