UCLA LAW
Behind Bars
Data Project
Over two million people are held in American carceral facilities, facing an outsized risk of death. But we know relatively little about who is in greatest danger and why. The UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project works to increase transparency and accountability within the US carceral system through data compilation and research. Our aim is to deepen public knowledge and understanding of all forms of deaths in custody by providing free, accessible data, support for researchers, and our own analyses.
Blog
Go to blogThe UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project Featured Prominently in NYT Article on COVID-19's Impact on Prison Deaths
In February 2023, investigative journalists at the New York Times analyzed carceral death data collected by the UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project for the years 2019-2021. In their published findings, Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Allie Pitchon reported an almost 50% jump in prison deaths in the wake of Covid and assessed possible reasons for the substantial increase. See below for the full article.
Read moreThe UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project: Announcing the Launch of Our New Interactive Website Tracking Deaths in Custody Nationwide
Today, the UCLA Law Behind Bars Data Project is pleased to announce the launch of our new website, which reflects our shift away from an exclusive focus on COVID to our current focus on all-cause carceral mortality.
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