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Mark Mauer

Assistant Director
The Sentencing Project

Marc Mauer joined the Fellows for dinner on February 8, 2004 and presented on the latest incarceration statistics and legislation. Marc Mauer is the Assistant Director of The Sentencing Project, a non-profit organization engaged in research and advocacy on criminal justice policy. Mr. Mauer has written extensively on the subject and testified before Congress and other legislative bodies. His critically acclaimed book, Race to Incarcerate, was named a semifinalist for the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, and he is the co-editor of Invisible Punishment, a collection of essays that examine the social costs of incarceration. Mr. Mauer frequently lectures before a broad range of national and international audiences and appears regularly on television and radio networks. Mr. Mauer is also the recipient of the Donald Cressey Award for contributions to criminal justice research and the Alfred Lindesmith Award for drug policy scholarship. ##About the Sentencing Project (http://www.sentencingproject.org/) The Sentencing Project, incorporated in 1986, has become a national leader in the development of alternative sentencing programs and in research and advocacy on criminal justice policy. The Sentencing Project originated out of pilot programs developed by Malcolm C. Young, Executive Director, for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency from 1981-86. ##Development of Alternative Sentencing Programs The Sentencing Project has provided technical assistance and helped establish alternative sentencing programs in more than 22 states and consulted on issues such as juvenile detention, racial disparity, and the trial of juveniles in adult court. The Sentencing Project has sponsored the development of the National Association of Sentencing Advocates, for courtroom professionals who assist in the sentencing defense of persons charged with crimes. The Sentencing Project also draws upon its experience and upon a pool of national experts to consult with local and state governments on strategies and programs to alleviate jail and prison overcrowding. ##Research and Advocacy on Criminal Justice Policy In the field of criminal justice policy, The Sentencing Project is widely known for its reports and analyses highlighting inequities in the criminal justice system. Major reports include the nationally acclaimed publications, Young Black Americans and the Criminal Justice System, theAmericans Behind Bars series on international rates of incarceration, Aging Behind Bars: "Three Strikes" Seven Years Later,Losing the Vote: The Impact of Felony Disenfranchisement Laws in the United States and Life Sentences: Denying Welfare Benefits to Women Convicted of Drug Offenses. These reports have resulted in widespread media coverage, led to Congressional and state legislative hearings, and fostered new programs designed to address the issues of racial and economic disparity in sentencing. In addition, Marc Mauer, The Sentencing Project's Assistant Director, has written two books, Race to Incarcerate and Invisible Punishmentthat have also contributed greatly to changing the way Americans think about crime and punishment. The Sentencing Project's program and policy work has made its staff a major resource for reporters, editors, and producers of major media covering criminal justice issues. Staff are frequently interviewed and/or provide background information to national television and radio networks, and major newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post and many others. ##Training and Technical Assistance Staff of The Sentencing Project provide leadership and training to a broad range of criminal justice practitioners on policies and practices designed to produce more constructive outcomes in the system. In recent years this has included training and publications for defenders and others who work with the increasing number of juveniles being tried in adult court and the development of approaches to reducing racial disparity at each stage of the criminal justice system. Staff frequently address national and local conferences of criminal justice professionals and are relied upon as a source of information and analysis regarding day-to-day policy and practice.

The information listed above was provided at the time of the speaker's visit and may no longer be current.