Lawmakers in Annapolis to Reassess and Reinvest in Criminal Justice

In recent weeks the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council (JRCC) has split into subgroups to explore in more depth the state’s criminal justice policies. The Baltimore Sun reports:

The council has broken up into three work groups, each looking at a specific policy area. One is considering the lengths of sentences and mandatory minimum terms. Another is examining policies for releasing inmates and easing their re-entry into the community. A third is considering how Maryland supervises released prisoners through its parole and probation system.

Their work could lead to recommendations on such issues as whether to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealing and other offenses. Now, for instance, a third conviction for dealing certain drugs, including heroin, can carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years.

The council is also looking at how Maryland punishes former inmates who violate parole by actions such as missing appointments with their supervising officer.

And as reported in The Washington Post:

One subgroup met late Monday afternoon to discuss what type of violations should warrant an offender to return to prison and what type of discretion should be given to judges.

“We just have to figure out a way to get the numbers down to get a cost savings,” said Sen. Michael J. Hough (R-Frederick), a member of the council who led the supervision subgroup.

The money saved from such an effort would likely be redirected into drug treatment and mental health programs in the community. How the money is directed is also something the panel plans to recommend to the legislature, Hough said.

Judy Sachwald, the director of Parole and Probation, said probation agents need flexibility. For example, she said an offender who fails a drug test may not warrant a revocation.

“Relapse is a part of recovery,” Sachwald said, noting that a person who may have a long stretch of “being clean and being compliant” might relapse and need drug treatment rather than incarceration.

The council is also looking more closely at the conditions for receiving geriatric parole or medical parole.

As previously reported on Conduit Street, the JRCC is charged with reviewing the State’s criminal justice structure and making recommendations to reduce Maryland’s prison population, reduce needless correctional spending, reinvest savings into more efficient programs that help improve criminal justice outcomes. The JRCC must issue a final report to the Governor by December 31, 2015.

For more information and additional coverage:

In Annapolis, a New Look at Crime and Punishment (The Baltimore Sun)

Maryland Panel Looks at Ways to Reduce Prison Costs (The Washington Post)

State Criminal Justice Reform Getting Fresh Look (The Carroll County Times)

A session on Justice Reinvestment will be held at MACo’s Winter Conference on Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm. The session, “Dollars and Sense: Justice Reinvestment for Your County Jails,” will discuss unique opportunities to apply Justice Reinvestment strategies at the local level for both increased public safety and cost savings. To learn more about this session and our conference, themed “Mission: Public Safety,” please view the MACo Winter Conference Registration Brochure.

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:

Registration Brochure – NEW! With session titles and descriptions
Online Registration
Online Hotel Reservations at the Hyatt
Conduit Street blog coverage
Sponsorship Brochure
Exhibitor Brochure

Questions? Contact Meetings & Events Director Virginia White.

Lawmakers in Annapolis to Reassess and Reinvest in Criminal Justice

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