While our state’s overall economy is stronger, a decade after the Great Recession many working Marylanders’ paychecks have not fully recovered from the impact of the recession. Median earnings within Maryland are now 3.1 percent lower than in 2007, after
The number of people confined in Maryland prisons declined by 10 percent in 2017, a steeper drop than in any other state. This is cause to celebrate as well as a sign that reforms the state has enacted in recent
Today marks the third anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death in police custody. Immediately following his death and the resulting anger and unrest in Baltimore, state lawmakers recommitted to investing in underserved neighborhoods across the city. Unfortunately, the more time that
A new report from the Job Opportunities Task Force shows the many ways Maryland’s criminal law system ensnares people who are struggling to get by on low incomes—especially Black and Latinx Marylanders—pushing many into prison and ultimately making it harder
Position Statement Supporting House Bill 1390 Given before the House Judiciary Committee Mounting evidence overwhelmingly indicates that Maryland’s bail system is broken. The Court of Appeals recently confirmed that dependence on cash bail creates unconstitutional conditions in which many individuals
Position Statement Supporting Senate Bill 880 Given before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Mounting evidence overwhelmingly indicates that Maryland’s bail system is broken. The Court of Appeals recently confirmed that dependence on cash bail creates unconstitutional conditions in which many
When new laws went into effect on Saturday, our state took some important steps forward in creating a more vibrant and inclusive Maryland – both in the workplace and in the criminal justice system. A Path to Equal Pay
We all benefit from living in safe communities – however, when politicians focus on being “tough on crime,” the types of laws they enact often end up jailing more people for non-violent and petty crimes and creating longer prison sentences.
Even as Maryland becomes an increasingly diverse state, inequity in the economic success of different racial groups remains a persistent problem. When comparing measures of income, employment, poverty, housing, and incarceration, African American residents in Maryland and across the country
Maryland lawmakers will have the opportunity this legislative session to adopt a set of policies that would make the criminal justice system more effective, save the state significant money, and boost the economy. Recommendations that Maryland’s Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council
