NCJ Number
58421
Date Published
1979
Length
89 pages
Annotation
A TASK FORCE ON PRISON OVERCROWDING IN MARYLAND WAS CONVENED TO REVIEW RESEARCH PERTINENT TO THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING AND TO RECOMMEND FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS WITH REGARD TO REHABILITATION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
CRITERIA GUIDING THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE WERE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PRISON OVERCROWDING ON PUBLIC SAFETY, REHABILITATION, THE FISCAL IMPACT OF OVERCROWDING, AND THE LONG-RANGE EFFECT OF OVERCROWDING ON MARYLAND'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE TASK FORCE DETERMINED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUND CORRECTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES DEPENDS ON EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, INVOLVEMENT, AND EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT ALSO INDICATED THAT A PROPOSED 890-BED STATE FACILITY WOULD NOT BE AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO PRISON OVERCROWDING. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FACILITY WOULD DECREASE CRIME, AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS USED TO ASCERTAIN THE NEED FOR THE FACILITY WERE NOT PROVEN TO BE ACCURATE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE TWO MAJOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN MARYLAND ARE INADEQUATE, THAT THERE ARE EXISTING RESOURCES AND LEGISLATIVELY-AUTHORIZED SANCTIONS TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING, AND THAT COORDINATION AMONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IS NEEDED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IMPRISONED. OPTIONS FOR REDUCING OVERCROWDING INCLUDE ALTERNATIVES OUTSIDE THE CRIMINAL COURT PROCESS (COMMUNITY COURTS, NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS, COMMUNITY COMPLAINT CENTERS, AND ADMINSTRATIVE TRIBUNALS), SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES (PROBATION AND PAROLE SUPERVISION, VICTIM COMPENSATION, RESTITUTION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, COMMUNITY ADULT REHABILITATION CENTERS, AND SENTENCING GUIDELINES), AND OPTIONS WITHIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT (PAROLE, COMMUTATION, AND RECLASSIFICATION). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TASK FORCE STUDY IS APPENDED. (DEP)