decarceration

noun

de·​car·​cer·​a·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌkär-sə-ˈrā-shən 

: release from imprisonment

Early data show that crime has remained level in most cities that have released incarcerated people, and that crime rates are functionally unrelated to decarceration.

—Cynthia Roseberry

There is much talk of defunding the police but little of decarceration—freeing from prisons people who are locked into place because they don't have the financial wherewithal to afford the gentler and more understanding criminal justice system.

—Erik Sherman

also : the practice or policy of reducing the number of people subject to imprisonment

Decarceration is the effort to limit the number of people who are detained behind bars, either by limiting who is sent to prison in the first place or by creating avenues to release people already in custody.

—Martha Paynter et al.

decarceration efforts/strategies/policies

the decarceration movement

Examples of decarceration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With 2 million people incarcerated in this country, the growing network of advocates committed to decarceration have a lot of work ahead. —Abigail Glasgow, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024

Discussions about improving conditions at the D.C. jail have not included the urgent need for decarceration, enhanced oversight and ending the use of solitary confinement. —Washington Post, 5 July 2024

Before Eric Adams, years of careful decarceration coupled with community investments put us on the path to eradicate Rikers. —Darren MacK, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2024

Additionally, Mota and other critics of the fire camp model argue that decarceration should be the priority, rather than continuing to expand access to the camps. —Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

de- + (in)carceration

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above