People serving long prison terms, which has been a primary driver of this country's half-century long incarceration boom, is one critical issue that is drawing increasing attention from advocates and policymakers in many states. The catastrophic impact of COVID-19 has been concentrated in prisons and communities of color, which has escalated calls for more aggressive use of parole and other release strategies. Demands for a public safety strategy grounded in strengthening communities and improving the health and well-being of neighbors have kick-started conversations about more effective ways to prevent violence and address serious crime without resorting to incarceration and the attendant trauma on individuals and families.