Justice in Review: New Trends in State Sentencing and Corrections 2014-201
Vera Institute of Justice
May 30, 2016

“In 2014 and 2015, 46 states enacted at least 201 bills, executive orders and ballot initiatives to reform at least one aspect of their sentencing and corrections systems. In conducting this review of state criminal justice reforms, the Vera Institute of Justice’s Center on Sentencing and Corrections (CSC) found that most of the policy changes focused on three areas: creating or expanding op portunities to divert people away from the criminal justice system; reducing prison populations by enacting sentencing reform, expanding opportunities for early release from prison, and reducing the number of people admitted to prison for violating the terms of their community supervision; and supporting reentry into the community from prison. By providing concise summaries of representative reforms in each of these areas, this report serves as a practical guide for other state and federal policymakers looking to affect similar changes in criminal justice policy.”

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