NCJ Number
136040
Date Published
1992
Length
39 pages
Annotation
The Bar Association of Baltimore (Maryland) reviews the drug crisis in that city and the underfunding of the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Seven major threats to the administration of justice in Baltimore are identified: law enforcement personnel shortages, the state of the juvenile justice system, budget cuts in drug and other treatment programs available to adults and juveniles, delays in initial review of the decision to incarcerate, delays in adjudication of criminal and juvenile matters, inadequate post-prison supervision, and the failure of the city to recognize the threat to public safety that this type of crime poses. This report reviews the impact of the drug crisis on the juvenile court, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, the police, the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, the Circuit Court, the State's Attorney's Office, the defense bar, the Baltimore Detention Center, treatment programs, the Division of Corrections, and the parole and probation agencies. Another section discusses the status of criminal justice funding. Two new recommendations are proferred by the association: to establish a broad-based coalition to coordinate the use of public and private resources against drugs and to garner massive support and reform of the juvenile justice system.