In 2020, to address increasing health and safety concerns within prison populations through the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous prison and parole authorities were directed by their states to reduce population sizes and perform intensive policy restructuring. As a result, through the support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center in partnership with the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) surveyed 74 paroling authorities across the nation to assess the lasting impact of these changes. The survey aimed to better understand some of the challenges faced, while creating the opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned. This month, the CSG Justice Center released a report on the survey’s key findings, common challenges faced during the pandemic, and four identified areas of permanent reform.
To read more on the impact of prison reform as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, access States Report Parole Policy Transformations.