NCJ Number
54043
Date Published
1978
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF ATTEMPTS TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING IN MARYLAND'S PRISONS AND STATISTICS SHOWING THAT THE MAJORITY OF INMATES ARE NONVIOLENT. A PLEA IS MADE FOR ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS, THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS TRIED CONTINUALLY TO RAISE MONEY FOR ADDITIONAL PRISON CONSTRUCTION. IN JUNE 1977 THE PRISON POPULATION WAS 8,437, WHICH IS 2,000 OVER CAPACITY. IN ADDITION, 1,200 SENTENCED PRISONERS WHO NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN STATE PRISONS WERE DETAINED IN LOCAL JAILS. MARYLAND IMPRISONS OFFENDERS AT A RATE FOUR TIMES GREATER THAN THAT OF MASSACHUSETTS. APPROXIMATELY 65 PERCENT OF THOSE COMMITTED TO MARYLAND PRISONS IN 1977 WERE CONVICTED OF NONVIOLENT CRIMES, AND THE PRISON POPULATION REFLECTS A STRONG RACIAL BIAS. IT WAS FOUND THAT 56 PERCENT OF THOSE ARRESTED IN MARYLAND DURING 1976 WERE WHITE AND 44 PERCENT WERE BLACK. YET, 32 PERCENT OF THOSE WHO ENTERED PRISON IN AUGUST 1977 WERE WHITE AND 67 PERCENT WERE BLACK. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRISON INTAKE FIGURES, CRIME, AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS DISCUSSED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MUCH OF THE OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS IS DUE TO SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BIAS AGAINST NONWHITES. THE FINAL SECTION OF THE REPORT REVIEWS ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON WHICH ARE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE IN THE STATE. THESE INCLUDE INCREASED USE OF PAROLE, COMMUTATIONS OF SENTENCES, DELAYING INTAKE OF PRISONERS, AND GREATER USE OF WORK RELEASE CENTERS AND COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES. MARYLAND IS ALSO URGED TO PLAN FOR MORE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY-BASED SUPERVISION, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS OR ALTERNATIVES WHICH MAKE REPARATION TO THE VICTIMS, AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. PRISONS ARE CALLED COSTLY FAILURES; ALTERNATIVES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AND LESS EXPENSIVE. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)