Marijuana Policy Project

If you ask Michael Blain, Maryland's correctional system needs major changes.

"The system has gone awry and we can correct that. We just want to make sure you have the information to correct it," Blain, policy director for the Drug Policy Alliance, told the committee chaired by Del. Joseph Vallario (D-Dist. 27A) of Upper Marlboro.

A coalition of criminal experts shared research with members of the Maryland House Judiciary Committee on the state's criminal justice system at a hearing last week. The crux of their position: divert non-violent drug offenders from prison to treatment centers.

According to a study by the Justice Policy Institute (JPI), the largest percentage of released prisoners returning to Prince George's County in 2001 had been convicted of drug offenses, a trend the organization found to be statewide. JPI also found that in what is often called recidivism, 60 percent of prisoners released in the county had served time before.

"If we can address the addiction, they are more likely to get off the recidivism treadmill and become productive members of society," said Glenn F. Ivey, Prince George's County state's attorney, in an interview.

Maryland ranks third nationally in the number incoming inmates incarcerated for drug offenses, following New Jersey and New York. And with African Americans making up 90 percent of the statewide prison population, it is a high-priority concern for the Drug Policy Alliance.

"We need to have a different conversation about race before we can begin to talk about legislation," said Blain.

The agency's research found that while 28 percent of Maryland's population is black, 76 percent of the state's prisoners are black.

As of this week, the county is holding 1,123 prisoners - 84 percent of whom are black and 59 percent are returning inmates. Most are being held while awaiting trial.

Vallario said the Maryland House of Delegates is working on several pieces of legislation to reform state prisons. "I think a lot of members are on board for some type of changes in non-violent drug offenders," said Vallario, adding that there would be an emphasis on drug treatment. "It will be an opportunity for inmates to come back into the work force."

© 2004 Gazette Newspapers

Newshawked-by: Jane Marcus

Posted-by: Beth Wehrman