The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution was enshrined to prevent “cruel and unusual punishments.” Sadly, this protection has eroded over time, and often, people face extreme and disproportionate sentences that do not fit the crime.

The U.S. prison population has increased dramatically since the 1980’s. With nearly two million people in prisons and jails at any given time, America has the highest incarceration rate in the world. The crisis of over-incarceration causes unimaginable damage to incarcerated individuals, their families, and their communities.

The Coalition Against Unjust Sentencing (CAUS) is working for sentencing reform and clemency, particularly in cases involving, but not limited to, the following:

• Life sentences, or unduly long sentences, for nonviolent crimes
• Sentences based on, or enhanced by, uncharged conduct
• Sentences based on, or enhanced by, dismissed conduct
• Sentences based on, or enhanced by, acquitted conduct

It is time to reform our sentencing laws and give incarcerated individuals suffering under their impact a second chance.