Criminal Justice and Drug Policy Reform

The ACLU of Southern California is committed to helping re-envision a criminal justice approach that is fair and free of racial bias, keeps communities safe and respects the dignity and rights of all who come into contact with it.

The ACLU SoCal strives to end overcriminalization; ensure fair and constitutionally sound treatment of all people; remove barriers to reentry; and increase government transparency and accountability.

The ACLU SoCal works with community and organizational partners to reform California’s community safety approaches to end harsh policies that result in mass incarceration; achieve effective community-based solutions and opportunities; implement sensible and proportionate interventions; and prioritize rehabilitation and transformative justice over punishment.

What you need to know

3,278At least 3,278 people were serving life sentences without parole for drug, property, and other nonviolent crimes in 2012.
2.3 million2.3 million people are incarcerated in the U.S.—triple the number of prisoners we had in 1987.
$80 billionThe U.S. spends over $80 billion on incarceration each year.