Md. Justice Reforms a First Step

Michele Jawando discusses how Maryland's Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council's proposed reforms represent bipartisan unity on criminal justice reform.

As Baltimore and the nation reeled in response to the mistrial a week ago in the first case of police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, Maryland’s Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, or JRCC, made recommendations to Gov.Larry Hogan on how to reform Maryland’s criminal justice system.

The JRCC recommended some laudable and important policy reforms that would reduce sentences for some offenders, increase parole grant rates and strengthen supervision, particularly removing some of the many barriers to reentry into society. But it is critical that we recognize these recommendations as a first — not final — step toward confronting all the ugly realities plaguing Maryland’s criminal justice system.

The above excerpt was originally published in The Baltimore Sun. Click here to view the full article.

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