1) What is your understanding of the racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system? To the extent your office could make a difference, how would you address these disparities?
I was the first candidate to publish an agenda, titled “A Level Playing Field”, dedicated to acknowledging and addressing past and present wrongs, and offering concrete policies that will chart a more equitable path forward in which all Marylanders can share in the prosperity of the State. Delegate Darryl Barnes, Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, recognized that my agenda is the most integrative and comprehensive, and endorsed our campaign because he knows that I will deliver on my promises.
The pledges range from addressing redlining by providing state-backed mortgages, to economic inclusion by requiring Maryland’s MWBE procurement goals be increased to 50 percent, to ensuring Marylanders are able to access a healthcare provider within a 15-minute commute, to government reform by creating an office for the Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who will be required within the first year of my administration to publicly issue a report outlining priority action items for the administration across all sectors.
In terms of my vision for criminal justice reform, I believe that we must broaden our understanding of crime not just in terms of the causes that lead to it, but also the impacts that it creates within a community. From stalling the economic vitality of a neighborhood main street to creating trauma for children who grow up proximate to violence, crime is both a product of and driver for the social context in which it exists.
As Governor, I will approach public safety through a lens that situates it within this broader social context rather than seeking to treat it as a stand-alone challenge to be addressed. I will have no tolerance for police misconduct, and our entire criminal justice personnel from our law enforcement officer to our judges will be required to act professionally.
To ensure that there are the proper channels of accountability I will address police misconduct by: Ending all use of no-knock warrants. Require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to decertify any officer who was fired or resigned while under investigation for misconduct or excessive force. Apply normal Maryland Public Information Act standards to all records on police misconduct, use of force, and civilian complaints against police officers. Expanding independent review of civilian deaths involving police to include use-of-force incidents that result in hospitalization of civilians.
These are just a few of my policies to ensure that we properly address racial disparities within our criminal justice system, and a more comprehensive outline can be found on my website.
2) In your opinion, is there a difference between being “tough on crime” and “smart on crime”? Please give examples of what you might do in office in this regard?
I believe that there is a difference between being “tough” and “smart” on crime, yet both are important to a safe and secure Maryland- we must be “tough” on crime to ensure violent crimes in particular are dealt with properly, but we must be “smart” on crime to ensure our resources are appropriately marshaled towards priorities like violent repeat offenders, rather than criminalizing poverty, and that we implement proven best practices that take a more holistic understanding of crime.
I will coordinate local, state, and federal resources to target violent repeat offenders. We will regularly enforce arrest warrants in criminal hotzones in partnership with the U.S. Marshals and State Troopers to ensure that every person feels safe in their communities.
To be “smart on crime” must include recognizing the economic and social determinants involved in our approach to public safety. I will have a restorative justice approach, and as such recognize the importance of reentry for citizens returning from criminal sentencing—and I will promote supporting citizens returning to society with temporary housing, job training, and placement. I will also promote community policing and treat addiction as a public health crisis by piloting a statewide, pre-arrest diversion program for arrestees suffering from addiction.
3) A statewide program that provides substance abuse and mental health screening for those in pretrial detention will expire in 2023. Will you support renewal of this program for substance abuse and mental health screening and treatment of pretrial detainees?
Yes. I also will also pilot a statewide, pre-arrest diversion program for arrestees suffering from addiction.
4) Will you support programs to improve Maryland prisons, for example, providing independent oversight, reducing assaults, offering every incarcerated Marylander services to reduce recidivism, such as education, job-training, and counseling?
Yes. Lack of economic opportunity is paramount in this respect, not only for first-time offenders but also for returning citizens whose struggle to find steady, good-paying employment lends itself to an increased likelihood of recidivism.
I want to reduce the recidivism rate by at least 50 percent. I will achieve this by: offering returning citizens training and placement in a competitive industry that pays family-supporting wages, as outlined in my 100,000 jobs in 100 weeks pledge, and by creating a statewide version of D.C.’s Office of Returning Citizen Affairs, to streamline navigation of essential state services. Moreover, I will also invest in grassroots organizations that provide job skills, and education opportunities, and counseling services.
5) Does Maryland need to expand access to criminal records’ expungement? Are the current statutes effective for ensuring public safety and equitable access employment and other opportunities?
One of the primary contributors to high recidivism rates is the lack of economic opportunity following incarceration. Expanding access to expungement of formerly incarcerated citizens—especially for those who have completed their terms and remain law-abiding—is important to providing economic opportunity to citizens returning to their communities.
I believe that the current statutes could be revised to shorten the period to seek expungement of criminal records so that formerly incarcerated individuals have broadened access to economic opportunities that will reduce the likelihood of recidivism. However, I would seek to collaborate with local government and community organizations in order to ensure a tailored and comprehensive approach.
A goal of my administration will be to reduce the recidivism rate by at least 50 percent. To achieve this, I will offer returning citizens training and placement in competitive industries that pay family-supporting wages; and create a statewide version of DC’s Office of Returning Citizen Affairs to streamline the navigation of essential state services.
6) Do you support reform of our juvenile justice system (4 parts) to:- provide less incarceration and more treatment for lower level offenses?- prevent police from lying to juveniles to induce confessions?- create a presumption of school discipline or restorative justice for non-felony offenses on school grounds, rather than arrest and formal prosecution?- support treatment of juveniles who have been sex-trafficked as victims, not offenders?
Do you support reform of our juvenile justice system (4 parts) to: a) seek less incarceration for lower-level offenses and more diversion to treatment?
Yes. Many youths engaged in lower-level offenses have lived in proximity to crime and violence—creating trauma that impacts their actions. It is important to have a restorative justice approach and seek trauma-informed care.
b) prevent police from lying to juveniles to induce confessions? Yes. I firmly believe in the rule of law and due process to promote justice for all. I will promote best practices amongst our law enforcement, including putting protections in place to protect youth from giving confessions without legal counsel. Reform in this area is paramount to restoring our communities’ trust in the criminal justice system.
c) create a presumption of restorative justice remedies or school discipline for non-felony offenses occurring on school grounds? Yes. I am committed to having mental health professionals in every school to ensure that we equip students cognitively and emotionally to benefit from and contribute to society.
d) support treatment of juveniles who have been sex-trafficked as victims, not offenders? Yes. Trauma-informed care is essential for healing and for breaking potential cycles of harm and violence. I will address this need by piloting a statewide program that provides trauma-informed care and psychological services to victims of violent injury, especially youth.
Furthermore, I will ensure that there are appropriate wrap-around services to ensure that victims have consistent access to resources.
7) Please add anything else that voters should know about your intended criminal justice policies.
Throughout this questionnaire, I am committed to providing you with answers that I will hold to concretely as governor, rather than saying yes to everything only to backtrack once in office. No other candidate has demonstrated the same consistent and unequivocal candor in their public conduct as I have, and that should give you the assurance that these answers are offered in good faith.
I am committed to the idea that we can achieve public safety in Maryland by strengthening our communities and empowering people to make a difference and promote just outcomes for all. My full public safety platform can be found on my website. I believe that in collaboration with our local government and community organizations these reforms will strengthen our communities by restoring trust in our criminal justice system, reduce crime, and improve our economy by ending failed practices.
