» Prison Violence
Justice Maryland is working in conjunction with a new Coalition to address the issues of prison violence. The time has come for us to tackle head on the issue of prison violence. Violence and abuse are not inevitable. Every correctional officer and staff member has the right to expect to be safe on the job - and while some of the citizens in our jails and prisons have committed serious and violent crimes, they too have a right to expect to be safe during their confinement. This is not the case in Maryland.The conditions of confinement that exist in our prisons should be of great concern to everyone as they have consequences that go beyond the prison walls. Last year legislation was introduced in both chambers that would establish a task force on prison violence - it died in committee.
Apparently this issue was not important enough to do the right thing. And now we are paying the costs for this lack of action.
We must dramatically and quickly work to change the culture and climate of violence and abuse that is allowed to exist behind the walls.
We know what works… our Public Safety people know what works…
The time is now for us to implement those things… to rethink our policies and procedures and our over-use of incarceration. To shine a light on what goes on behind the walls.
But through this process, we must NOT forget those individuals of our communities who have died, who have been hurt, who have been and continue to be afraid - and we must work together to create an environment where people can feel safe - For if we fail to take action NOW, none of us is truly safe.
» Upcoming Press Event
New Coalition calls on candidates to commit to ending abuses in the Maryland criminal justice systemBaltimore , Maryland - A new coalition of organizations and individuals concerned with justice calls on candidates to end abuses in the Criminal Justice system in Maryland. We are asking those seeking elected office to meet with the coalition and to commit to ending "zero tolerance" policing as well as support significant change and reform within the state's prisons.
Who: American Friends Service Committee's Partnership for Social Justice, Camp Baltimore, Community Resources, CHRIS Inc., Critical Resistance-Baltimore, Families Against Injustice, Fusions Partnerships Inc., Justice Maryland, Viva House, and Young Clergy for Social Change, Carl O. Snowden
What: Press conference to call on all candidates seeking office in November to meet with us to discuss our concerns, and their positions on policing, prisons, parole and our youth.
When: Thursday October 5, 2006 at 5pm
Where: Across the street from the Reception and Diagnostics Center at 550 East Madison St.
It is time to confront the injustices facing the residents of Baltimore City :
- African Americans make up 26% of Maryland 's overall population yet are 78% of the state's prison population. This disproportionate rate is NOT because African Americans commit more crimes rather it is due to a system that is racially biased toward them!
- The majority of the state's prisoners come from Baltimore City , and Prince George 's county. Yet many of the state's facilities are concentrated in rural areas far from the city.
- False Arrest. Every month in Baltimore City 1800 people are arrested, fined, imprisoned yet never charged. The power of the police has long gone unchecked.
- Very few prisoners serving life sentences in the state of Maryland receive parole. Under former Governor Parris Glendening no parole was granted to lifers.
- Half the young men in Baltimore are under some form of criminal justice "control"; 9 out of 10 youth in the city who are charged as adults are African American.