The ACLU National Prison Project (NPP) is an advocacy initiative focused on prison reform and legal challenges to incarceration conditions such as solitary confinement and overcrowding. ¹ Formed in 1972, it is part of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and targets issues within U.S. prisons, jails, and detention centers. ² NPP promotes releasing criminals under the guise of reducing prison overcrowding. ³

History

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) created the National Prison Project in response to criticisms over prison conditions including after the 1971 Attica Prison riot. ⁴ The ACLU National Prison Project’s approach primarily involves litigation aimed at enforcing prisoners’ rights under the U.S. Constitution. It targets practices seen as violating humane treatment standards such as excessive solitary confinement and publishes the National Prison Project Journal, a semi-annual publication that provides research and insights on prison reform topics. ⁵

Leadership

David Fathi is the director of the ACLU National Prison Project, as of 2024. ⁶ During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fathi pushed for the release of many incarcerated individuals to reduce overcrowding and lessen the risk of COVID-19 transmission. ⁷

1. “ACLU National Prison Project.” American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org/documents/aclu-national-prison-project. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
2. Gursky, D. “NCJRS Virtual Library.” Who Are These People and Why Are They Suing You? — A Look at the ACLU’s National Prison Project, www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/who-are-these-people-and-why-are-they-suing-you-look-aclus-american.  Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
3. ACLU Prison Project Director David Fathi Discusses Death-Row Conditions and Covid-19 in U.S. Prisons.” Death Penalty Information Center, deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/podcasts/discussions-with-dpic/aclu-prison-project-director-david-fathi-discusses-death-row-conditions-and-covid-19-in-u-s-prisons.   Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
4. “50 Years of Fighting for the Rights of Incarcerated People.” ACLU of Florida, 4 Aug. 2023, www.aclufl.org/en/news/50-years-fighting-rights-incarcerated-people.Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
5. “American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project.” National Sexual Violence Resource Center, www.nsvrc.org/organizations/193. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
6. Silverstein, Ken. “Interview: David Fathi of ACLU’s National Prison Project on Criminal Justice Reform in the Age of Coronavirus.” Prison Legal News, www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2020/jun/1/interview-david-fathi-aclus-national-prison-project-criminal-justice-reform-age-coronavirus/.  Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.
7. “ACLU Prison Project Director David Fathi Discusses Death-Row Conditions and Covid-19 in U.S. Prisons.” Death Penalty Information Center, deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/podcasts/discussions-with-dpic/aclu-prison-project-director-david-fathi-discusses-death-row-conditions-and-covid-19-in-u-s-prisons.Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.