We've made it easier to access the topline statistics about the criminal legal system.

by Wanda Bertram, May 18, 2026

Through dozens of publications each year, we compile a lot of data. This data is incredibly valuable to advocates, lawmakers, and journalists pushing for change in America’s criminal legal system. But so much information can also be overwhelming.

We just launched a new website feature that puts the most sought-after facts about the criminal legal system at your fingertips. The new “Key Statistics” boxes on our Issue pages highlight some of our most requested data points, organized by topic.

These Key Statistics boxes are the newest addition to our Issue pages, which compile all of our reports, data visualizations, and other resources related to the areas of our work that readers ask about most often:

• The “big picture” of incarceration
• Jails and bail
• Racial justice
• Public health
• Poverty and debt
• Exploitation
• Women and gender
• Collateral consequences
• Probation and parole
• Communication
• Drug policy
• Policing

Looking for a statistic that isn’t on those pages? It may be in one of our reports, or in our searchable Research Library, which holds over 4,000 publications. We’ve also made many of the data sources we use available for download via our Data Toolbox. Readers looking for other information about the criminal legal system can also reach us via our contact page.