Consequences of Life Imprisonment in the U.S.

How many people are serving life sentences in U.S. prisons today?

• Over 200,000

• Nearly 300,000

• About 150,000

• Less than 100,000

What percentage of lifers are people of color?

• Around 25%

• Less than 40%

• More than two-thirds

• About 50%

What is the recommended cap for life sentences, according to the study?

• 30 years

• No cap recommended

• 20 years

• 25 years

What percentage of people serving life sentences are 55 years old and older?

• 15%

• 25%

• 30%

• About 10%

What has driven the increase in people serving life in prison?

• Decrease in crime rates

• Increase in parole grants

• Policy changes and law revisions

• Shorter sentencing for violent crimes

What state does not fall in the top 10 for the number of people serving life in prison but has one of the highest percentages of Black people serving life sentences?

• New York

• Texas

• California

• Illinois

What is the percentage increase of women serving life without parole from 2008 to 2020?

• 50%

• 35%

• 20%

• 43%

What does the study suggest should be prioritized considering the risk of Covid-19?

• Expanding opportunities for release for younger prisoners

• Prioritizing older prisoners sentenced to life

• No specific prioritization suggested

• Immediate release of all prisoners

What is the main aim of the justice system according to recent polling mentioned in the study?

• Incarceration without parole

• Redemption and transformation

• Financial restitution to victims

• Punishment only

Who was one of the 167 people to have their death sentences commuted to life in prison by then-Gov. George Ryan?

• Michael Johnson

• Renaldo Hudson

• Anthony Davis

• Christopher Smith