Racial Justice Issues

Ending Unjust Imprisonment

In the courts, the Southern Poverty Law Center defends and seeks justice for victims of discriminatory practices and laws that target and incarcerate lower-income individuals and people of color.

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A Better Way Forward on Justice.

Millions Live Behind Bars in the U.S.

With the world’s largest prison population, the U.S. criminal legal system is marred by vast racial disparities, unfairly targeting and punishing communities of color and exacting a tremendous social cost throughout the Deep South.

Unjust Policies Threaten the Next Generation

Racist myths about Black youth criminality have been used to justify overly harsh punishments that create a school-to-prison pipeline and trap young people in a cycle of institutionalization. 

Bringing an End to Era of Mass Incarceration

To reduce the number of Black and Brown people, including youth, who are incarcerated, we must reform the criminal legal system so that it prioritizes rehabilitation and operates fairly and equitably. 

What We’re Working On

Criminal Justice

In courts, we challenge unconstitutional laws and practices that reinforce racial inequities in the justice system.  

Decarceration

We advocate for alternatives to incarceration to reduce the number of Black and Brown people who are institutionalized.

Juvenile Justice

Through research and analysis, we build support for early interventions that disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.

Over-Criminalization

By shifting narratives about public safety, we oppose discriminatory policies that criminalize people living in poverty.

Immigrant Justice

We pursue systemic litigation to challenge the overuse of detention in our immigration system. 

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