Barbara Thomas was interviewed in September on WCAO-AM: Heaven600, “Baltimore’s Good News Station.”
Here is the gist of her remarks:
Let’s talk about the state of justice equality in Maryland: What’s the status?
Our work is just beginning. Incarceration rates in Maryland and the US are nearly 3 times the level they were in the 1980s. Maryland’s recidivism rate still is too high–within 3 years after release from prison, over 40% get arrested for new offenses and sent back to prison. By comparison, some other states–Oregon & Virginia–have figured out ways to drop this repeat-offense-incarceration rate into the 20% range.
What are the major issues?
1) MD uses a money bail system in which people pay money or pay for a bail bond to ensure they show up in court for their trial dates. This discriminates against low income people, who may end up spending months in jail before any trial to prove whether they even committed a crime or not.
2) As to racial inequality, African-Americans are locked up at three times the rate of whites. Although drug crimes are a huge reason for incarceration, studies show drug use rate is about the same among white and black Americans. Some of this inequality stems from discrimination, but economic and educational disadvantages may also play a role. For example, African-Americans stuck in jail–without bail–before trial may be willing to accept a plea bargain in exchange for early release. Then, with a criminal record, it is nearly impossible to find good jobs, so their economic disadvantages are amplified.
How was the 2015 Session?
We were thrilled to get overwhelming bipartisan support to pass the law that created Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council (JRCC) to study the way to rebuild our criminal justice system to work better with less incarceration and more effective alternatives. We also were happy to support partners initiatives towards improved expungement of records, reduction of solitary confinement, and voting rights for returning citizens.
What needs to be done in 2016?
We look forward to seeing official proposals come from JRCC after it completes the first year of its three year study process. We also hope to advance some very specific proposals that could take effect right away–perhaps to provide more help for qualified folks with criminal records to find work, and to restore voting rights to those who have paid their debts to society.
What can our listeners do?
As proposals for specific legislation are developed to change the system, listeners can work with MAJR to contact their legislators asking them to support being SMART on crime and seeking alternatives to incarceration that help youthful offenders to change and find honest work
