Summary Wrap Up and Call to Action
Speakers: Dr. Crystal R. Francis; Hon. Phil Caroom; Olinda Moyd, Esq.; Darrell Hale, Esq.; Dr. Stephen Steurer; Donna Rojas; Robert Rhudy, Esq.
Dr. Francis called for a review of takeaways and calls to action. She thanked everyone who
attended or played a part in pulling the conference together.
Ms. Moyd said the participants in the breakout on reforming Maryland’s parole policies and practices imagined many ways the system could be different:
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- The system could become one that invests in redemption – one that reviews every case with a presumption of release.
- The lengthy risk assessment process could be streamlined, whether by incorporating it in the parole review, eliminating it, or allocating more funds to risk assessment so that more cases can be processed in a timely way.
- Prisoners need education on what the process involves so they can enter it feeling
prepared and leave it feeling heard.
Judge Caroom reported that the District of Columbia and six states have new models for helping emerging adults who are involved with the criminal justice system make better choices. Instead of focusing on punishment for small infractions, often with restrictive housing, these programs provide a dormitory environment in which residents can use some self-determination, study, and receive counseling. Speakers observed:
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- The D.C. program resolved minor issues within a restorative justice framework.
- The D.C. program also experienced success when it introduced older peer mentors, often lifers, who had credibility.
- Programs resulted in a substantial drop in infractions and assault.
- There is good data to show that people who participated in an emerging adult program like these are less likely to return to prison.
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Mr. Rhudy said people in his session reported on the policy reforms that were important to their agencies. Priorities included:
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- Compassionate release
- Geriatric release
- Reducing the use of solitary confinement
- Pre-Release Centers for Women
- Lowering waiting periods for expungement
- Reducing the cost of prisoners’ phone calls
- Safety for transgender prisoners
- Establishing an Ombudsman’s Office
- Releasing prisoners who are not dangerous
- Preventing police from lying to juveniles, and
- Ending the Felony-Murder Rule.
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Reporting for Mr. Hale, Dr. Izquierdo stressed the importance of a well-supported, sustainable peer workforce as a component of rehabilitation. She suggested that prisoners with long terms and lifers deserve rehabilitation and could become effective peer workers. Peer workers can help returning citizens get their driver’s licenses, get GEDs, or apply for employment.
Ms. Rojas said her session highlighted the need for collaboration and information sharing among re-entry providers at every level. Local jurisdictions need to pull together agencies involved in re-entry to coordinate, while states need to facilitate sharing of best practices. Each stakeholder needs to fully own its agency’s role in the process and understand what other organizations are contributing to facilitate referrals.
Reporting for Dr. Steurer, Dr. Lichtenberg stressed the importance of enabling people to receive their GEDs. There has been a sharp decline in the number of prisoners who are achieving GEDs, and it is not clear why that happened. Recently, 200 people qualified for GEDs, but three times as many used to make this achievement. The number of prison college programs declined from 772 prior to 1994 to eight after the passage of 1994 Crime Bill (Prison Policy Initiative, 2019). Programs are now increasing as Pell Grants again become available.
