Prison Policy Initiative
@prisonpolicy.org
Challenging mass incarceration and over-criminalization through research, advocacy, and organizing. Get email updates: https://prisonpolicy.org/subscribe/
With all of this in mind, the U.S. is long overdue to ask the question: Who exactly does this system serve & protect?
We also encourage you to check out these orgs, which offer valuable tools and resources on staying up to date with the state of policing:
We also encourage you to check out these orgs, which offer valuable tools and resources on staying up to date with the state of policing:
Policing resource round-up: Where to find data, advocacy materials, and more information about American policing
A list of the most valuable online resources from organizations focused on policing.
www.prisonpolicy.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
With all of this in mind, the U.S. is long overdue to ask the question: Who exactly does this system serve & protect?
We also encourage you to check out these orgs, which offer valuable tools and resources on staying up to date with the state of policing:
We also encourage you to check out these orgs, which offer valuable tools and resources on staying up to date with the state of policing:
➡️ Police escalate mental health crises.
In 2024, 118 people were killed after police responded to reports of a mental health crisis.
policeviolencereport.org
In 2024, 118 people were killed after police responded to reports of a mental health crisis.
policeviolencereport.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ Police escalate mental health crises.
In 2024, 118 people were killed after police responded to reports of a mental health crisis.
policeviolencereport.org
In 2024, 118 people were killed after police responded to reports of a mental health crisis.
policeviolencereport.org
➡️ Use of force is still a serious concern:
-In 2022, 28% of people experiencing police use of force were women – a number that has more than doubled since 1999.
-Since 2015, the proportion of people experiencing use of force who were 65+ increased more than tenfold!
-In 2022, 28% of people experiencing police use of force were women – a number that has more than doubled since 1999.
-Since 2015, the proportion of people experiencing use of force who were 65+ increased more than tenfold!
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ Use of force is still a serious concern:
-In 2022, 28% of people experiencing police use of force were women – a number that has more than doubled since 1999.
-Since 2015, the proportion of people experiencing use of force who were 65+ increased more than tenfold!
-In 2022, 28% of people experiencing police use of force were women – a number that has more than doubled since 1999.
-Since 2015, the proportion of people experiencing use of force who were 65+ increased more than tenfold!
➡️ The system is still riddled with racism.
-Black people experience police misconduct at 6x the rate of white people.
-Young Black men aged 25-29 are killed by police at a rate at least 3x that of young white men.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2024/12...
-Black people experience police misconduct at 6x the rate of white people.
-Young Black men aged 25-29 are killed by police at a rate at least 3x that of young white men.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2024/12...
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ The system is still riddled with racism.
-Black people experience police misconduct at 6x the rate of white people.
-Young Black men aged 25-29 are killed by police at a rate at least 3x that of young white men.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2024/12...
-Black people experience police misconduct at 6x the rate of white people.
-Young Black men aged 25-29 are killed by police at a rate at least 3x that of young white men.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2024/12...
➡️ Police violence is not tied to their safety.
According to the 2024 Police Violence Report, the vast majority of killings began with police responding to suspected non-violent offenses or cases where no crime was reported.
policeviolencereport.org
According to the 2024 Police Violence Report, the vast majority of killings began with police responding to suspected non-violent offenses or cases where no crime was reported.
policeviolencereport.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ Police violence is not tied to their safety.
According to the 2024 Police Violence Report, the vast majority of killings began with police responding to suspected non-violent offenses or cases where no crime was reported.
policeviolencereport.org
According to the 2024 Police Violence Report, the vast majority of killings began with police responding to suspected non-violent offenses or cases where no crime was reported.
policeviolencereport.org
➡️ The number of people killed by police has been increasing.
In 2024, 1,379 people were killed by police – the highest number on record. This is the direct result of policies & practices that enable and encourage police violence.
mappingpoliceviolence.org
In 2024, 1,379 people were killed by police – the highest number on record. This is the direct result of policies & practices that enable and encourage police violence.
mappingpoliceviolence.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ The number of people killed by police has been increasing.
In 2024, 1,379 people were killed by police – the highest number on record. This is the direct result of policies & practices that enable and encourage police violence.
mappingpoliceviolence.org
In 2024, 1,379 people were killed by police – the highest number on record. This is the direct result of policies & practices that enable and encourage police violence.
mappingpoliceviolence.org
➡️ For starters, 2022 data show that fewer people are experiencing police contact, but the system is still plagued with issues, including racial disparities in police interactions, misconduct, and use of force.
Despite fewer people experiencing police contact, racial disparities in arrests, police misconduct, and police use of force continue
New Bureau of Justice Statistics data reveal that concerning trends in policing persisted in 2022, even while fewer people interacted with police than in prior ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
➡️ For starters, 2022 data show that fewer people are experiencing police contact, but the system is still plagued with issues, including racial disparities in police interactions, misconduct, and use of force.
Tragedies like this emphasize what advocates have long known: It's not just "a few bad apples." This is the result of policies and practices that enable and even encourage police violence.
January 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Tragedies like this emphasize what advocates have long known: It's not just "a few bad apples." This is the result of policies and practices that enable and even encourage police violence.
This kind of horror is not unique to ICE or any singular agency. Police violence is a widespread, systemic problem in the U.S.
No police force of any other wealthy country kills civilians at a rate that even comes close to American police:
No police force of any other wealthy country kills civilians at a rate that even comes close to American police:
January 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
This kind of horror is not unique to ICE or any singular agency. Police violence is a widespread, systemic problem in the U.S.
No police force of any other wealthy country kills civilians at a rate that even comes close to American police:
No police force of any other wealthy country kills civilians at a rate that even comes close to American police:
Take a look at immigration arrests in Florida vs. Illinois.
The difference? Florida mandates local collaboration with ICE – and as a result, immigration arrests out of local jails are 4x higher.
The difference? Florida mandates local collaboration with ICE – and as a result, immigration arrests out of local jails are 4x higher.
January 7, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Take a look at immigration arrests in Florida vs. Illinois.
The difference? Florida mandates local collaboration with ICE – and as a result, immigration arrests out of local jails are 4x higher.
The difference? Florida mandates local collaboration with ICE – and as a result, immigration arrests out of local jails are 4x higher.