Maryland lawmakers worsened criminal justice in three ways this year | GUEST COMMENTARY
Maryland lawmakers worsened criminal justice in three ways this year | GUEST COMMENTARY Baltimore Sun
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Building a Better Criminal Legal System: Maryland Lawmakers Fall Short
During this legislative session, Maryland lawmakers had an opportunity to build a better criminal legal system, make our communities safer, and our democracy more representative.
The Mass Incarceration Crisis and the Sustainable Development Goals
The status quo in Maryland and across the country is unacceptable. America is currently experiencing a mass incarceration crisis, with our prison population rising more than 500% since 1973. As a result, almost 2 million people are incarcerated in our prisons and jails.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is crucial to address this crisis and work towards Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By implementing effective criminal justice reforms, we can promote equal access to justice, reduce inequalities, and ensure the well-being of individuals and communities.
The Situation in Maryland
In Maryland, approximately 15,000 people are incarcerated in state prisons. Shockingly, nearly 72% of Maryland’s incarcerated population is Black, compared to 31% of the state population. This disproportionate representation highlights the urgent need for equitable and fair criminal justice policies.
Furthermore, the youth in long-term placement face even worse disparities, with 78% being Black. This alarming statistic emphasizes the importance of addressing racial inequalities within the criminal legal system.
The Impact on Communities and Democracy
This crisis has destabilized entire communities, diminished trust in law enforcement, and made our democracy less inclusive due to the denial of voting rights for all persons impacted by the criminal legal system.
By failing to take action to fix this failed system, Maryland legislators are hindering progress towards Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. It is essential to promote equal representation, protect human rights, and ensure access to justice for all individuals.
Missed Opportunities for Reform
Instead of taking action to address these issues, Maryland legislators fell for outdated rhetoric instead of following established research on what can truly build safer communities.
For example, last month, the Maryland Assembly failed to pass the Second Look Act, legislation that would allow courts to assess the growth and rehabilitation of incarcerated people and potentially revise their sentences if certain criteria are met. This bill was based on years of research demonstrating that lengthy prison sentences do not have a significant deterrent effect on crime.
Furthermore, the Maryland Assembly also failed to advance legislation that would have ended felony disenfranchisement by expanding the vote to over 16,000 Marylanders completing their felony sentence inside of prison and jail. This disenfranchisement undermines the principles of democracy and perpetuates historical injustices.
The Importance of Voting Rights
Expanding voting rights is not only a matter of justice but also an effective community safety strategy. Voting is a pro-social behavior that helps people feel connected to their communities and reduces the likelihood of reoffending.
Moreover, polling shows that the majority of Americans who are likely voters believe that voting should be a guaranteed right for all, including persons completing their sentence inside and outside of prison. By expanding voting rights, we can promote inclusivity, strengthen democracy, and work towards Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Backtracking on Juvenile Justice Reforms
While lawmakers failed to pass effective reforms, they also proactively passed legislation backtracking on the effective policy changes the state overwhelmingly passed in 2022 under the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA).
The reforms recommended by the state’s Juvenile Justice Reform Commission were aimed at limiting young children’s involvement with the justice system, avoiding detention and commitment of youth except for the most serious cases, and limiting their terms of probation. However, the legislature decided to ignore that expertise and opted for a vast expansion of the number of youth under court supervision, particularly Black youth.
This decision undermines community safety and harms Maryland’s youth, going against Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
A Call for Effective Reforms
Rather than following the data and evidence-based practices, Maryland legislators chose to perpetuate a failed system of punishment and disenfranchisement that costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year.
Maryland residents deserve better. It is crucial for lawmakers to prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, in their efforts to build a better criminal legal system that ensures equal access to justice, reduces inequalities, and promotes community safety.
Nicole D. Porter (nporter@sentencingproject.org) is senior director of advocacy for The Sentencing Project.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 16.3: Number of people incarcerated in prisons and jails.
- Indicator for SDG 10.3: Percentage of incarcerated population by race/ethnicity.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Number of people incarcerated in prisons and jails. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action. | Percentage of incarcerated population by race/ethnicity. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: baltimoresun.com
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