The study by the team, including Enns, associate professor of government and executive director of the Roper Center, found that nearly 1 in 2 adults in the United States has seen an immediate family member go to jail or prison for at least one night and one in 7 adults has had an immediate family member behind bars for at least a year; for 1 in 34 adults that relative has been behind bars a decade or longer.
The survey was designed by Cornell researchers for FWD.us, a nonprofit launched in 2013 by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to advocate for looser immigration laws. The tech industry lobbying group has since broadened its goals to include criminal justice reform.
Sreang Hok/Cornell University
At center, holding her award, is Abra Geiger ’26, recipient of the 2026 University Relations Campus-Community Leadership Award. Left to right, with her are Erik Herman, creative director of the Free Science Workshop/Ithaca Physics Bus; Kyle Kimball, vice president for university relations; Cassaundra Guzman, McNair Program advisor/coordinator; and Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students.