MAJR General Meeting—1/24/18 minutes
Baltimore, Maryland.
Over 40 participants were hosted by Living Classrooms (LC), 1100 E. Fayette St. in Baltimore. After a potluck dinner at 6:30, we began our business meeting at 7 p.m. Diamonte Brown facilitated and kept us on schedule!
John Huffington, as LC director, welcomed us and offered a general report of LC’s great work. This includes support for returning citizens and their families, following the model of the Harlem Children’s Zone including a Head Start / daycare program. Job training is offered in fields including the solar power installation, cyber security, forklift driving, etc. and serving approximately 150 persons directly and another 500 indirectly. Living Classrooms participants maintain a 9% recidivism record, as compared to approximately 50% recidivism (renewed incarceration within 3 years from release) of other returning citizens in Baltimore. Also, Living Classrooms participants have a 75% employment retention rate–sticking with the same employer for 12 months or more after release. MAJR participants applauded LC’s good work and look forward to working with them on statewide reentry initiatives in the future!
As many in attendance were new to MAJR, Diamonte and Phil Caroom shared a brief overview of MAJR’s history and goals: reducing Maryland’s incarceration rates and redirecting savings to community-based rehabilitation.
NEW BUSINESS
* Lea Green (Maryland C.U.R.E.) introduced Charles Chappell, nominating him to serve with MAJR’s Executive Comm. Charles spoke briefly about his experience within DOC as an inmate administrator for “a multimillion dollar operation” (Maryland Correctional Enterprises) and eloquently described his difficulties finding similar work back in the community. By unanimous approval, Charles was approved for this position.
* Pat Schenck explained and asked for a volunteer to improve our communications with MAJR’s endorsing organization (and, we think, has recruited a volunteer). We also discussed volunteer needs for coordinators of MAJR communications with inmates and with local county supporters, organizing to contact local government leaders.
2018 LEGISLATION UPDATES
FRONT DOOR
Phil Caroom reported that the Citations bill, which passed the House but not the Senate in 2017, has been reintroduced as the 2018 Citations bill SB248/HB323. For offenders not facing more serious charges, this bill will divert those with marijuana or other simple drug possession from routine arrests to a citation status, thus reducing potential detention population.
BEHIND THE WALLS –
* Solitary—Suzanne O’Hatnick for the Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) reported that a bill soon will be filed to call for a reduction is solitary confinement. Current research reveals an increase from 68% of inmates experiencing solitary confinement to 73% last year but the average number of days decreasing from 56 to 40. IAHR and other solitary bill supporters will hold an Advocacy Day on Feb.6. See http://www.interfaithactionhr.org/2018_advocacy_day_in_annapolis_interfaith_action_for_human_rights
* Correctional Education. John Linton for Maryland Correctional Education Excellence Advocates (MCEEA) reported on two bills:
HB291: Inmate Case Record will require the addition of educational history to be added to the inmates profile and kept updated so as to help target educational and job training programs more effectively.
HB295: Diminution Credits would add extra incentive for inmates to attain benchmark education and job-training goals, such as a G.E.D., college degree, or accredited vocational certification.
* Lifer’s Parole. Vince Greco (Out4Justice)and Lea Green (Maryland CURE) reported that SB249 is being resubmitted in the same form that passed the House last year. A survey has been circulated among Maryland inmates, especially lifers, to give them a voice—which we expect will favor last year’s bill with minimal amendments. Lea also “offered a Plan B” that would allowing lifers with possibility of parole again to take part in rehabilitation programs—denied now for decades—and this would improve further their qualifications for parole.
DISCUSSION / QandA SESSION
A lively and engaged discussion session lasted until the end of the meeting time. Questions included: – inquiries about details on legislative issues, tax relief for inmates’ parents, inadequacy of medical treatment and prescription drugs for inmates, types of social groups in prison, attitude of punishment by prison staff, and returning citizens’ sharing of touching personal experiences while incarcerated.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Hearings – Inmate Education HB291 and HB295 – 1/30
Citations HB323 – 1/30; SB248 – 2/1
Lifer’s Parole SB249 – 2/1
Juvenile Justice SB257 – 2/1
Lobby days – IAHR Solitary 2/6 – see link above
– MAJR – Legislative breakfast 3/7 – 8:30 – 10
Governor Glendening, Governor Ehrlich, and legislative leaders
Same day-Lobby afternoon 3/7 -10-12:30
These minutes respectfully submitted- Candy Clark and Phil Caroom.
