Smart On Crime: Positive Trends in State-Level Sentencing and Corrections Policy

This report is part of Families Against Mandatory Minimums' Smart on Crime campaign that seeks to promote effective responses to crime through reform of sentencing and corrections policies. In the report, Soros Justice Senior Fellow Judith Greene analyzes 25 states that have made positive changes in state-level policy and spotlights trends in sentencing and corrections reforms.

"From Alabama to Wisconsin," Greene writes, "public officials in 25 states have made major improvements in their sentencing and correctional policies. Four more states have similar reform proposals under consideration. Seventeen states, including Michigan, Louisiana, Washington, Texas, Kansas, and Mississippi have rolled back mandatory minimum sentences or restructured other harsh penalties enacted in preceding years to 'get tough' on low-level or non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses."