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We Believe In ...
- Fairness
A person’s racial or ethnic group, economic background, or native language must not affect sentencing, punishment while in prison, access to education and job opportunities, parole, or re-entry supports.- Doing What Works
Our state’s criminal justice system should be accountable for using the practices that have been shown to reduce the likelihood of crimes and recidivism. For example, we know that family ties and visitors can reduce recidivism, so it is important that people who are incarcerated are assisted to maintain these critical connections with community.- Good Stewardship
Where sensible use of state resources can strengthen our communities to help them prevent crime – for example, through evidence-based programs for at-risk youth – we think this is a better use of our money than lengthy incarceration.- Second Chances
We believe that people can change. Given opportunities and support, people who have been incarcerated can choose to return to their communities and families as productive citizens.- Accountability
The state criminal justice system should maintain the data needed to be accountable to citizens. For example, it should be prepared to report on the racial and ethnic group of people in solitary confinement, the length of solitary confinement, and the alternatives to solitary confinement; the number of incarcerated persons who speak languages other than English and how the system is addressing communication issues; the mental health status of persons incarcerated and the measures taken to assist them in recovery.- Opportunities for Change
Many people involved with the criminal justice system have experienced trauma, are mentally ill, or have become addicted to substances. Others have learning disabilities, have never learned to read, or are developmentally impaired. We believe in access to treatment, in-prison opportunities, and community supports to help individuals turn their lives around.- Community Safety
We believe in safe, healthy communities. We believe all of us are safer when we use evidence-based interventions at every phase of involvement in the criminal justice system. We are all safer when:- sound community programs are available to prevent crime (for example, mentoring programs for at-risk youth);
- first offenders receive evidence-based interventions that help them avoid further involvement (for example, a diversion to treatment or mediation where appropriate);
- those who are incarcerated have opportunities to turn their lives around (for example, through fully funded NA and AA programs and opportunities to learn a skill); and
- returning citizens do not face barriers to finding treatment, jobs, and housing and are fully supported in their transition to community life so they never go back to prison.
Websites of Interest
The Ungers: A Matter of Time
Author Archives: Jim
Governor Hogan: Conovirus and the Elderly
Dear Governor Hogan- Here is yet another letter on behalf of Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform (www.ma4jr.org), urging you to expand the scope of your April 18 Executive Order to include elderly as well as medically-impaired individuals at greater risk … Continue reading
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Response to Chief Judge Barbera
WHY MARYLAND COURTS’ RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN PRISONS AND JAIL ISN’T ENOUGH Two days ago, news media reported Maryland’s Chief Judge has taken action to “protect” our state’s adult prison population. The headline, unfortunately is greatly overstated. The threat to Marylanders … Continue reading
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MCDAA and MAJR Appeal to Governor Hogan
The Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform have addressed concerns about COVID-19 to the members of the Maryland Legislature: To avoid a catastrophic outbreak of COVID-19 in our prisons, Maryland must act now to reduce … Continue reading
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A second coronavirus appeal
Stu Simms in his role as honorary co-chair of MAJR sent a letter to Governor Hogan, with a copy to Sec. Bob Green of MDPSC, about a week ago urging release of persons in prison who would be particularly vulnerable … Continue reading
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Coronavirus Appeal
Dear Governor Hogan and Secretary Green: Attached is a letter from former Md. DPSCS secretary Stuart Simms, as a Md. Alliance for Justice Reform (MAJR-www.ma4jr.org) spokesperson, urging active preparations to protect Marylanders in state prisons. Thanks in advance for its … Continue reading
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Prosecutors in Prince George’s will no longer recommend cash bail for defendants
Braveboy’s new policy adds her to a growing list of progressive prosecutors around the country seeking to end cash bail as part of their criminal justice agendas. Prosecutors in Prince George’s will no longer recommend cash bail for defendants The … Continue reading
Maryland has a moral obligation to help these men.
Maryland has a moral obligation to help these men. The Board of Public Works needs to pay the five exonerees now. The governor and the General Assembly need to fix the law for future cases. Opinion | Maryland exonerees deserve … Continue reading
Releasing Non-violent offenders
A detailed look at how to evaluate programs like the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) and the proposed Second Look Amendment Act of 2019 (SLAA) in DC. The IRAA and SLAA: Moving Beyond Nonviolent Drug Offenders to Address Mass Incarceration If … Continue reading
Questions for Candidates
Governor Larry Hogan and Ben Jealous agreed to participate in only a single, hour-long televised debate on September 24th. But you will have this and other opportunities to find out where they stand on issues which have been important to you and the … Continue reading
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Shrinking Prisons
Shrinking Prisons, Growing Opportunities Governor Larry Hogan and officials of the union for correctional officers (the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) have both said it: correctional officer vacancies in Maryland prisons are rising. At the same time, … Continue reading
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