VALLARIO HEARS THE CASE FOR PRISON REFORM

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."