Articles by Leah Sakala
Prison Policy Initiative Policy Analyst Leah Sakala (full bio)
- New video: Prison gerrymandering skews democracy, not funding
In our newest video, PPI Board President Eric Lotke explains why.
May 1, 2015 - Historic election for “one person, one vote” in Maryland
Next Tuesday will mark the first state-wide election in which people vote from districts that count incarcerated people in the right place: at home.
Oct 31, 2014 - Prison gerrymandering hurts the 99.989%
The political clout of all but 112 Rhode Islanders is diminished by prison gerrymandering.
May 1, 2014 - Blog roundup: Fighting prison gerrymandering in Cranston, RI
Three bloggers weigh in on the lawsuit filed yesterday to end prison gerrymandering in Cranston, RI.
Feb 20, 2014 - Residents and Advocates Sue City of Cranston Over Redistricting Plan That Counts Incarcerated Population as Residents
Cranston's 2012 redistricting plan for the City Council and School Committee violates the one person, one vote principle of the U.S. Constitution.
Feb 19, 2014 - “Putting the con in constituent”: prison gerrymandering in Florida
"There’s nothing a state rep loves more than a captive audience. Except for a captive constituency."
Sep 30, 2013 - New York Times editorial calls on Census Bureau to end prison gerrymandering
"[Prison gerrymandering] distorts the political process and raises concerns about the fairness of the census process itself."
Sep 27, 2013 - Congress and Census Bureau Director talk prison gerrymandering
The new Census Bureau Director makes it clear it's not too late to develop a solution.
Sep 13, 2013 - Columbia County, NY democracy: 1, prison gerrymandering: 0
Columbia County is about to reapportion political power, free from the distortion caused by prison gerrymandering.
Sep 5, 2013 - David Skolnick asks, “Are prisoners Youngstown residents?”
A column in The Vindicator shows how prison gerrymandering could undermine local democracy in a Ohio city.
Aug 16, 2013 - Youngstown, Ohio is finally redistricting! Now, about that prison population…
To draw new wards that are fair and equal the city council must exclude the prison counts from the redistricting data.
Aug 13, 2013 - Utica Observer-Dispatch to City of Rome, NY: It’s time to follow the law
"The city is still counting prisoners as population... it’s wrong to include them when voter representation is determined."
Jul 15, 2013 - Illinois House passes bill to end prison gerrymandering!
The bill now goes on to the Senate Assignments committee, where it needs to pass out within four days to go on to a Senate floor vote.
May 16, 2013 - Midwest Democracy Network releases great new report, “Redistricting and Representation in the Great Lakes Region”
Ending prison gerrymandering is one of the report's 5 main recommendations to improve democracy in the Midwest.
May 14, 2013 - Hartford Courant column: “Count Inmates In Hometowns, Not In Cells”
Tom Condon wrote a wonderful column for today’s Hartford Courant on why it’s time for the Connecticut legislature to pass a bill ending prison gerrymandering.
May 9, 2013 - Report says Connecticut’s democracy harmed by Census, “prison gerrymandering”
Almost half of the state's prison population comes from the state's five largest cities, but almost two-thirds of the state’s prison cells are located in just five small towns.
Apr 17, 2013 - Connecticut considers bill to end prison gerrymandering
The Connecticut Joint Committee on Judiciary heard testimony in support of legislation to count incarcerated people at home for redistricting purposes.
Apr 2, 2013 - Mass. Committee on Election Law hears testimony in support of resolution to end prison gerrymandering
We joined our colleagues in partner organizations to urge the Massachusetts Legislature to take a stand for electoral fairness by urging the Census Bureau to end prison gerrymandering.
Mar 28, 2013 - Testifying in support of ending prison gerrymandering in Rhode Island
H5283/S0147 would require that incarcerated people be reallocated to their home addresses for redistricting purposes after the 2020 Census.
Mar 14, 2013 - Granville County, NC gets another chance to avoid prison gerrymandering
By removing the prison population for redistricting purposes, Granville can draw fair districts that contain equal numbers of actual residents.
Mar 12, 2013 - Mass. Legislature considers resolution calling on Census Bureau to end prison gerrymandering
A new resolution introduced in the House and Senate call on the Census Bureau to tabulate incarcerated people at their home addresses beginning in 2020.
Mar 1, 2013 - In the news: Massachusetts Redistricting Committee’s call to end prison gerrymandering
The Valley Advocate and WHMP cover the Massachusetts Legislature's upcoming resolution against prison gerrymandering.
Jan 9, 2013 - 200+ communities around the nation reject prison-based gerrymandering
Ever since redistricting season started, we've been researching how local governments across the country have handled the problem of prison-based gerrymandering. Our results? A clear trend away from prison-based gerrymandering.
Nov 26, 2012 - On the campaign trail: Lima, Ohio
While President Obama is hoping for a victory in Ohio on Tuesday, Lima residents have already won a democratic victory of their own over the problem of prison-based gerrymandering.
Nov 2, 2012 - On the Campaign Trail: Racine County, Wisconsin
The state needs to take action to ensure that phantom constituents don't continue to distort local democracy.
Nov 2, 2012 - On the Campaign Trail: Marion, Ohio
What would candidates say about how they plan to take action on the problem of prison-based gerrymandering?
Oct 26, 2012 - Advisory Committee should urge Census Bureau to end prison-based gerrymandering
The National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations can pass a resolution calling on the Census Bureau to take action.
Oct 26, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering in The American Prospect
Nancy Scola makes a compelling case for prioritizing prison-based gerrymandering on the national agenda.
Oct 23, 2012 - On the campaign trail: Ocala, Florida
Candidates are urging city residents to exercise their democracy, but will the city take action to prevent prison-based gerrymandering?
Oct 23, 2012 - Madison, Ind. should seize opportunity to end prison-based gerrymandering
The Madison City Council has everything it needs to prevent the correctional facility from distorting the new city district lines.
Oct 1, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering on the campaign trail
Campaign stops bring candidates through cities and counties that struggle with prison-based gerrymandering in many different ways. State legislation sends a clear signal to local governments to end the pernicious practice.
Sep 13, 2012 - Maryland law brings long-awaited racial justice to Somerset County
After the passage of the No Representation Without Population Act, the county that had no functional majority minority Commission districts draws two.
Aug 16, 2012 - Connecticut press demands an end to prison-based gerrymandering
The Norwich Bulletin urges the legislature to pass bill to count incarcerated people at home for the next redistricting cycle.
Jul 24, 2012 - US Supreme Court decision boosts Illinois efforts to end prison-based gerrymandering
In the next legislative session Rep. La Shawn K. Ford will reintroduce legislation to count incarcerated people at home for redistricting purposes.
Jul 24, 2012 - Wisconsinites buoyed by Supreme Court ruling on prison-based gerrymandering
Court rules that states can adjust redistricting data to better reflect their populations; now will Wisconsin end prison-based gerrymandering?
Jul 9, 2012 - Pennsylvania allays one side effect of Census Bureau’s prison count
HB 1934 prevents Census Bureau's prison count from unfairly forcing small municipalities to implement a curbside recycling system.
Jul 6, 2012 - Hartford Courant wants to see an end to prison-based gerrymandering
Editorial lauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the MD law ending prison-based gerrymandering, calling on CT to follow MD's lead.
Jul 6, 2012 - Baltimore’s AFRO covers US Supreme Court’s stand against prison-based gerrymandering
Maria Morales writes on the civil rights victory that was won when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Maryland's law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
Jul 5, 2012 - Massachusetts Redistricting Committee plans ahead for 2021
With foresight and care, the current Massachusetts legislative districts can be the last ones that are distorted by the Census prison count.
Jun 28, 2012 - Supreme Court upholds Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering; Huge victory for fair representation
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Maryland’s groundbreaking civil rights “No Representation Without Population Act.”
Jun 25, 2012 - “Jon Yount: A Man Transformed” on the Dissent Magazine website
James Kilgore and Teresa Barnes have written a great tribute to Jon E. Yount, a jailhouse lawyer and civil rights crusader.
Jun 11, 2012 - Most recent Fletcher v. Lamone documents available online
New court documents are now available from the Fletcher v. Lamone case, which seeks to overturn the Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
May 30, 2012 - Tribune-Star editorial board is glad to see the end of prison-based gerrymandering in Terre Haute, Ind.
"One-person, one-vote should not just be a concept; it should be reality."
May 17, 2012 - Last chance to vote for Peter Wagner to receive the Maria Leavey Tribute Award!
Please vote for Peter Wagner to receive the Maria Leavey Award to honor his decade of work to end prison-based gerrymandering.
May 14, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering is over in Terre Haute, Indiana
City Council votes unanimously to exclude the prison population for redistricting purposes.
May 11, 2012 - Will Kansas House District 40 be the most dramatic state district example of prison-based gerrymandering?
Prison-based gerrymandering is confounding state legislative redistricting efforts in more ways than one.
May 8, 2012 - Terre Haute City Council to vote on ending prison-based gerrymandering
The Tribune Star reports that Council is considering a resolution to exclude the prison population for redistricting purposes.
May 7, 2012 - Peter Wagner chosen as a finalist for the Maria Leavey Tribute Award
Please vote for Peter Wagner to receive the Maria Leavey Award to honor his decade of work to end prison-based gerrymandering!
Apr 30, 2012 - Terre Haute, Indiana, considers ending prison-based gerrymandering
Terre Haute city councilors are considering a resolution to exclude prison populations for redistricting purposes.
Apr 18, 2012 - Prison-based gerrymandering in Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow
Michelle Alexander explains that prison-based gerrymandering is one example of how mass incarceration is distorting democracy in the United States.
Apr 10, 2012 - Maine Legislature saves Warren from “undue burdens and confusion” caused by Census Bureau’s prison miscount
LD 1697 allows town to exclude incarcerated populations for the purposes of determining population-based services.
Mar 30, 2012 - “Preventing Prison-based Gerrymandering in Redistricting: What to Watch For” in Spanish
Our guide explaining what to look for in redistricting data in order to avoid prison-based gerrymandering is now available in Spanish.
Mar 29, 2012 - Advocates salute Virginia for changing law to allow counties to avoid prison-based gerrymandering
On Friday, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed HB13, giving more rural counties the option of avoiding prison-based gerrymandering.
Mar 27, 2012 - Livingston County, NY fixes prison-based gerrymandering problem
Thanks to the 2010 law that ended prison-based gerrymandering in NY, Livingston County's democracy will no longer be distorted by prison populations.
Mar 26, 2012 - New York Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering Stands: Plaintiffs Drop Challenge
New Yorkers enjoyed a clear victory today, as plaintiffs in the Little v. LATFOR case dropped their challenge of the 2010 state law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
Mar 16, 2012 - Counting prisoners as residents of rural prison towns for redistricting mirrors Southern strategy of counting slaves to increase representation in Congress, article says
A new article by John C. Drake, published in the Washington University Journal of Law & Policy explains the similarities between prison-based gerrymandering and the infamous 3/5 clause.
Mar 14, 2012 - NY Constitutional Amendment would restore prison-based gerrymandering
A proposed constitutional amendment in New York State would bring back prison-based gerrymandering, says redistricting expert Todd Brietbart and Common Cause of New York....
Mar 12, 2012 - Rhode Island considers legislation to end prison-based gerrymandering
Several civil rights organizations submitted testimony to the House Committee on Judiciary in support of House Bill 7090, which would end prison-based gerrymandering in the state.
Mar 7, 2012 - Coalition to House: Don’t compromise the American Community Survey!
PPI signed on to a Census Project coalition letter in opposition to a recent proposal to make participation in the ACS voluntary rather than mandatory.
Mar 6, 2012 - Kansas shouldn’t use prisoners to influence redistricting
A new Kansas City Star piece by Mary Sanchez warns that prison-based gerrymandering may dramatically inflate the votes cast in a Kansas state legislative district.
Mar 5, 2012 - New Common Cause Oregon report calls for end to prison-based gerrymandering
Ending prison-based gerrymandering in Oregon would bring the state's redistricting process in line with both the state constitution and with the federal principle of "one person, one vote."
Feb 16, 2012 - Local governments find unexpected burdens in Census Bureau’s prison miscounts
Incarcerated people are not part of the communities in which they are confined, and data that assumes otherwise can have unforeseen negative effects.
Feb 16, 2012 - NY Court of Appeals declines to hear direct appeal in suit against law ending prison-based gerrymandering
The New York Court of Appeals today declined to hear plaintiffs' direct appeal in Little v. LATFOR.
Feb 14, 2012 - Will Doolittle: Change in inmate counting is only a start
Will Doolittle’s new column in the Glens Falls Post-Star asks what prison-based gerrymandering can reveal about broader inequalities in the criminal justice system.
Feb 3, 2012 - Virginia bill against prison-based gerrymandering passes House unanimously
HB 13, which would allow more counties to reject prison-based gerrymandering, passed unanimously in the Virginia House and now advances to the Senate.
Feb 2, 2012 - Prison law about fairness, not partisanship
The Daily News recently published a letter to the editor by Peter Wagner explaining that the law ending prison-based gerrymandering in New York is about democratic fairness rather than petty partisanship.
Jan 27, 2012 - How Prison-based Gerrymandering Changes District Lines
New video (using an example district that was drawn in New York after the 2000 Census) explains how prison-based gerrymandering can alter district lines.
Jan 27, 2012 - New York Times editorial board praises court’s decision to uphold Maryland law ending prison-based gerrymandering
Today the New York Times printed an editorial praising a Federal District Court’s decision to uphold the 2010 law that ended prison-based gerrymandering in Maryland.
Jan 17, 2012 - New Race, Poverty & the Environment issue includes article on prison-based gerrymandering
New issue of Urban Habitat's journal includes an article about how Census Bureau’s miscount of incarcerated people distorts our democracy and impedes racial justice.
Jan 13, 2012 - Roanoke Times urges Virginia to “move in the right direction” towards ending prison-based gerrymandering
New Roanoke Times (VA) editorial calls on the Virginia legislature to take a stand against prison-based gerrymandering by passing H.B. 13
Jan 6, 2012 - New York Times: Prisons and Redistricting editorial celebrates victory of New York law
The New York Times published a great editorial praising the New York Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law that ended prison-based gerrymandering.
Dec 22, 2011 - Baltimore Sun op-ed supports Maryland’s No Representation Without Population act
Baltimore Sun op-ed explains how Maryland's law ending prison-based gerrymandering protects minority voting power.
Dec 20, 2011 - Group quarters data with prison locations now available in Google Earth
Census group quarters data files can now be used to find correctional facilities' locations in Google Earth.
Dec 14, 2011 - Franklin County, NY resident sets the record straight on prison count issue
Letter to the editor by North Country resident Dan Jenkins clarifies misinformation printed in a recent Plattsburgh Press Republican editorial.
Dec 14, 2011 - NY AG Schneiderman praises Little v. LATFOR decision
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office has issued a press release praising State Supreme Court Justice Devine’s decision to uphold the law ending prison-based gerrymandering in New York.
Dec 7, 2011 - Peter Wagner debunks misunderstandings about Maryland’s No Representation Without Population Act
In an interview on WPFM, PPI’s Exec. Dir. Peter Wagner offered some clarifications about the lawsuit filed to repeal the law that ended prison-based gerrymandering in Maryland.
Dec 7, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief Countering Misinformation About Maryland’s “No Representation Without Population” Redistricting Law
The coalition amicus brief shows that Maryland's “No Representation Without Population” law is protective of minority voting rights.
Dec 5, 2011 - Albany Judge Upholds Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
New York Supreme Court Justice Eugene Devine today upheld New York's law ending prison-based gerrymandering in the Little v. LATFOR lawsuit.
Dec 2, 2011 - Public Welfare Foundation lauds efforts to abolish prison-based gerrymandering
The Public Welfare Foundation’s 2010 Annual Report includes a great article about why abolishing prison-based gerrymandering is a critical step towards a fairer democracy.
Nov 28, 2011 - New York voters file suit against LATFOR to expedite redistricting process
Six NY voters filed a lawsuit asking for a federal judge to take over the "stalled" redistricting process and implement the 2010 law that ended prison-based gerrymandering.
Nov 21, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups Take Stand for Maryland’s “Prisoners of the Census” Redistricting Law
PPI and other civil rights groups announced that they will file an amicus brief to defend the “No Representation Without Population Act,” which ended prison-based gerrymandering in Maryland and is currently being challenged before a federal court in Fletcher v. Lamone.
Nov 18, 2011 - Peter Wagner to be honored by the Center for Church and Prison
PPI's Executive Director, Peter Wagner, will be one of the honorees at the formal launching of the Center for Church and Prison event on 11/19.
Nov 18, 2011 - Massachusetts legislature can still avoid prison-based gerrymandering
The Prison Policy Initiative and Demos submitted testimony to the MA Special Joint Committee on Redistricting urging them mitigate the harm of prison-based gerrymandering.
Oct 25, 2011 - Small changes to AZ redistricting map would mean a big win for democracy
The Prison Policy Initiative submitted testimony to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission suggesting quick fixes to minimize the distortion caused by prison-based gerrymandering.
Oct 25, 2011 - Prison Policy Initiative award ceremony and fundraiser a great success!
The Prison Policy Initiative and friends celebrated the end of prison-based gerrymandering in NY at a wonderful reception in NYC earlier this month.
Oct 21, 2011 - Minnesota Redistricting Panel must address prison-based gerrymandering, experts say
Written testimony from the Prison Policy Initiative, Demos, and the Second Chance Coalition urges the Minnesota Judicial Special Redistricting Panel to implement solutions to prison-based gerrymandering.
Oct 21, 2011 - Rhode Island ACLU to Reapportionment Commission: say NO to prison-based gerrymandering
Hillary Davis of the RI ACLU testified before members of the RI Reapportionment Commission, urging them to avoid engaging in the most extreme prison-based gerrymandering in the country.
Oct 18, 2011 - Massachusetts plans to diminish distortion caused by prison-based gerrymandering
House Redistricting Committee Chairman Mark Moran points out that the Massachusetts can use allowable deviations from the deal district size to lessen the distorting effects of prison-based gerrymandering
Oct 14, 2011 - ADVISORY: Tomorrow (10/4) Civil Rights Groups to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering in NY Supreme Court Hearing
Attorneys for the fifteen voters from around New York State who have joined the legal defense of New York’s law ending prison-based gerrymandering will present oral arguments at a hearing in New York Supreme Court tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 4
Oct 3, 2011 - New York Times: “Playing the Inmate Card Skews Redistricting” in Texas
This morning the New York Times printed an article on how prison-based gerrymandering distorts democracy in Texas.
Sep 30, 2011 - Indiana students take action to improve local redistricting
Students in a Honor Scholar seminar at DePauw University are repairing local democracy, and getting academic credit for it to boot.
Sep 21, 2011 - California coalition urges Gov. Brown to sign bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) coalition of 55 organizations calls on Gov. to sign AB 420 into law.
Sep 21, 2011 - Prison-based gerrymandering in Arizona could harm Native American political representation
At an Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission public meeting on Thursday, Jim March argued that prison-based gerrymandering would dilute Tribal communities' votes.
Sep 16, 2011 - New documents available from the NY Little v. LATFOR case
Our webpage for the case has just been updated with the most recent round of filed legal documents.
Sep 15, 2011 - Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission wrangles with prison-based gerrymandering
Arizona's Redistricting Commission has announced that it will be cognizant of prison-based gerrymandering during the redistricting process, and will exclude incarcerated populations for the purposes of evaluating majority-minorty districts.
Sep 14, 2011 - Prison-based gerrymandering's striking resemblance to the infamous three-fifths clause
The original U.S. Constitution used enslaved people to grant extra political clout to the states with lots of slaves, shifting the balance of power. This dynamic has a contemporary parallel.
Sep 9, 2011 - California Senate passes bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
Prison Policy Initiative and Demos applaud the California Senate for passing AB 420, a bill to end prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 31, 2011 - Pennsylvania recycling statute didn’t forsee Census prison miscount
Kelly, PA faces an expensive state recycling requirement due to Census miscounts.
Aug 31, 2011 - Dale Ho of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund testifies before the Kentucky Legislature on prison-based gerrymandering
In his testimony, Dale Ho explains to Kentucky legislators why prison-based gerrymandering distorts democracy and urges them to develop a solution.
Aug 24, 2011 - LA Daily News op-ed: Prison census bill would get redistricting right next time
LA Daily News publishes op-ed by Peter Wagner and Dale Ho in support of AB 420 to end prison-based gerrymandering in CA.
Aug 23, 2011 - Political blogger identifies first step towards ending prison-based gerrymandering in Arizona
Blogger asks citizens to urge the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission to release the data needed to bring an end to prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 22, 2011 - Civil Rights Groups Answer Summary Judgment Motion in Prison-Based Gerrymandering Lawsuit
Attorneys for 15 NY voters filed papers today asking Judge Devine to grant motion for summary judgment and uphold law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 19, 2011 - Capitol Tonight Interview with New York Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries
NY Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries explains the importance of moving forward with implementation of NY law that ended prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 18, 2011 - News Roundup: LATFOR won’t engage in prison-based gerrymandering and Civil Rights organizations will defend NY law
Roundup of selected news coverage: LATFOR will avoid prison-based gerrymandering and civil rights orgs will defend NY law.
Aug 15, 2011 - Judge Allows Civil Rights Organizations Representing Voters to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
NY judge allows civil rights organizations representing 15 voters join the Attorney General in defending NY law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 11, 2011 - Messenger Post editorial calls for fair redistricting in New York
Messenger Post editorial says that LATFOR's decision to follow the NY law that ended prison-based gerrymandering is a step in the right direction.
Aug 10, 2011 - LATFOR announces that it will comply with New York’s law that forbids prison-based gerrymandering
LATFOR announces at a public hearing in Albany that it will count incarcerated people at home in order to comply with New York law.
Aug 4, 2011 - New York press denounces efforts to bring back prison-based gerrymandering
Newspaper editorials from across the New York State rebuke efforts to bring back prison-based gerrymandering.
Aug 1, 2011 - New York Times editorial calls LATFOR out for breaking NY law
The New York Times published a great editorial denouncing LATFOR's intention to ignore New York's law ending prison-based gerrymandering.
Jul 29, 2011 - Prison Policy Initiative and others send joint letter to LATFOR demanding compliance with NY law
PPI and six other civil rights advocacy organizations submitted letter to LATFOR demanding that it comply with NY anti-gerrymandering law.
Jul 27, 2011 - Imperial County unanimously rejects prison-based gerrymandering
Imperial County Board of Supervisors votes 5-0 to reject prison-based gerrymandering and draw five genuinely equal districts.
Jul 27, 2011 - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle editorial slams Little v. LATFOR lawsuit
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle editorial criticizes Little v. LATFOR plaintiffs for trying to bring prison-based gerrymandering back to NY.
Jul 22, 2011 - New Yorkers Protest LATFOR’s Refusal to Comply with New York Law
Joan Mandle of Democracy Matters and Citizen Action New York testified at LATFOR hearing, urged LATFOR to comply with anti-gerrymandering law.
Jul 22, 2011 - So you want to be a legislator?
So you want to get elected with minimal effort? New video shows that your best bet is to run for office in a prison-gerrymandered district.
Jul 14, 2011 - Boston Workers Alliance Takes a Stand Against Prison-Based Gerrymandering
The Boston Workers Alliance has released a resolution to end prison-based gerrymandering in Massachusetts.
Jul 14, 2011 - Budget Slash Jeopardizes Census
39 national organizations submitted a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging it not to slash the Census Bureau's budget allocation.
Jul 13, 2011 - “Beware, beware Rhode Island’s coming gerrymander”
John Marion of Common Cause Rhode Island wrote a blog post about Rhode Island redistricting history, warning of the consequences of gerrymandering.
Jul 12, 2011 - California Bill to End Prison-based Gerrymandering Advances in Senate
California bill AB 420 has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and will now move to the Senate Floor
Jul 12, 2011 - Some New York Lawmakers Want to Ignore Redistricting Law
Albany Times Union published an editorial criticizing LATFOR for ignoring law to end prison-based gerrymandering.
Jul 11, 2011 - Peter Wagner Testifies at Connecticut Reapportionment Committee Public Hearing
Connecticut can avoid prison-based gerrymandering when drawing districts-- Peter Wagner testifies in Connecticut Reapportionment hearing.
Jul 11, 2011
Recommended Reading:
About the Prison Policy Initiative
Learn more about the organization behind the Prison Gerrymandering Project.
The Racial Geography of Mass Incarceration
The transfer of Black and Latino incarcerated people to communities very different than their own is a nationwide problem.
The Census Bureau's Miscount: It's about representation, not funding
We explain that prison gerrymandering is bad for democracy but federal & state aid are not impacted.
Prison-based Gerrymandering in Anamosa, Iowa
How a prison helped one man get elected with just two votes.
Events
- July 9, 2026:
Join the Prison Policy Initiative, Latino Justice, and the MacArthur Justice Center for a powerful webinar focused on the parole board process and the case for the presumption of release. It will begin with a firsthand account from Frank Silva and his interview for freedom followed by Clinical Professor of Law Heidi Rummel and the legality of “presumption of release,” and how California’s framework has shifted the burden of proof.
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