Issue Position: Criminal Justice

Issue Position

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

The beauty of the last 4 words of our Pledge of Allegiance -- "And Justice For All" -- is that it is inclusive. When we stand to recite the Pledge in schools and at community meetings we are reaffirming our commitment as citizens to be responsible for our democracy, and in turn have access to the liberties and opportunities available to all.

"And Justice For All" includes those who are too often funneled into the justice system due in large part to lack of equal access to quality education, training, housing, healthcare, as well as those who want to be successful when they re-enter their communities from incarceration. The New York Times has recently declared: "The American experiment in mass incarceration has been a moral, legal, social and economic disaster." We have to spend dollars that make more dollars and "sense." We are at a cross roads with sobering research such as that from the Brookings Institution's Hamilton Project showing a staggering $80 billion spent nationally on direct corrections services, and more than a quarter-trillion dollars with police, court and legal services. As your delegate, I am committed to making the criminal justice system more fair, equitable and just so that we can live out the true meaning of those four sacred words- "And Justice For All."

Investment In Our Youth

In states around the country, legislatures are opting to downsize and close prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. The results have tremendously relieved strained state budgets. In Maryland, the state is on course to build a new Youth Jail in Baltimore that is part of the notorious Baltimore City Detention Center that was recently featured in the New Yorker as being besieged by corruption and horrible conditions. As your delegate, I will work to provide leadership in Annapolis to refocus juvenile and criminal reforms so that state dollars are not committed for generations to locking up youth, especially those of color, and freed up to invest in alternatives that are far less expensive and also far more effective for our children and youth.

More Local Juvenile Justice Control

When an adult commits an offense, sanctions and sentencing can occur at the local or state level depending on the severity of the crime and past criminal history. In Maryland, we have a statewide juvenile services system. This prevents localities like Montgomery County from having sufficient state dollars and local control to provide youth with local resources for restorative justice and other accountability measures. Moreover, Maryland is still besieged by detention centers that independent state monitors find too often abuse or neglect youth, which only propels them further into the justice system. We need state dollars to come back to Montgomery County for community-centered mental health, education, training and accountability strategies that meet the needs of our youth in their home communities.

Family Involvement And Engagement

We have seen positive outcomes for families and communities when we bring in the knowing and loving engagement of parents, guardians and other supportive adult caregivers. Local, state and national organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, ARC, and PTAs have been pioneers in changing the public perception of children and adults with disabilities, and championing educational equality. A burgeoning movement is afoot in the justice arena with such organizations as Justice For Families and their landmark report: Families Unlocking Futures: Solutions To The Crisis In Juvenile Justice. It is time to embrace families of loved ones in the justice system and work with them to achieve positive outcomes that benefit us all. We must examine and implement strategies to positively engage and support caring family members in the legal and agency process.

Expunging Criminal Records

The repercussions of convictions for minor nonviolent acts can have long lasting effects on the lives of offenders. A criminal record can exempt individuals from housing programs, the ability to collect unemployment and public benefits, financial aid to attend college, the right to vote, and jobs. Will understands the toll this takes on not only the individual but their family and the economy. As a legislator, Will plans to work closely with his colleagues and the Job Opportunities Task Force to help pass the Maryland Second Chance Act. This act would expunge criminal records from the public after a given number of years. Will believes that those who pay their debt to society should receive a second chance to begin a new, fulfilling, life.

Reduction of Prison Construction Funds

As Delegate, Will is committed to working on continuous movement towards community based alternatives. Rather than spending money to build or reconstruct more prisons, there should be a strong focus on preventing incarceration. In 2009, a Task Force on Prisoner Reentry was established. Will intends to concentrate on strengthening this task force and create an additional task force on community based alternatives. Community-based outreach programs, including mental health, drug treatment, education and job training have been found to be more effective at reducing incarceration rates than traditional penalties. Will believes that Maryland can also see drops in crime and recidivism by instituting programs like drug courts, mental health courts, and community courts, which link offenders to social services and community restitution. Will also plans to work with the Montgomery Juvenile Justice Commission to evaluate and make suggestions on how to better utilize community-based alternatives.

Ban The Box

Baltimore City has just signed into law "Ban The Box" legislation that prohibits employers from seeking applicants to disclose criminal backgrounds on certain job applications. Such mandates have proved to be unnecessarily restrictive for those trying their hardest to be productive residents in their communities and caregivers for their families. We need such measures here in Montgomery County and statewide to support those who earnestly want to be productive tax paying residents.

Restoration of Voting Rights for Ex-Offenders

The right to vote is a fundamental principal granted to all U.S. citizens. Will believes that this right should not be taken away from an individual because of their criminal history. Approximately six million Americans are restricted from voting, most of whom are no longer in prison. The reentry process for a formerly incarcerated individual is riddled with obstacles: they often cannot afford
a home; they cannot feed their families; they cannot find employment; they cannot receive the benefits of social services; and they cannot serve on a jury, or hold public office. Their isolation only jeopardizes their ability to reintegrate into society and stay out of jail.

It is critical for ex-offenders to feel as though they are part of the community. Participating in elections is an essential way for former convicts to have their voices heard. The Great State of Maryland is leading the way in restoring the voting rights of ex-offenders. Maryland signed the Voter Registration Protection Act in to law in 2007. As a proud Maryland legislator, Will plans to closely monitor Maryland's progress in executing this law and will encourage the formerly incarcerated to register to vote once their sentence has been served.

Source