No More Good Time Credit for Maryland Inmates?

While budget crunches have some states releasing inmates early to relieve the pressure, Maryland is considering a proposal to limit the amount of “good time” an inmate can earn, causing them to serve more of their actual prison sentence. The Maryland legislature is considering lengthening prison terms after a few notable cases of violence committed by parolees or recently released inmates.

Good time and other programs like it vary from state to state. Basically, people serving time in state institutions can earn credits that shorten the length of time they spend behind bars. Things like education, employment while incarcerated, good behavior, and counseling all have the potential to earn inmates time off of their sentence.

According to supporters of programs like this, it encourages good behavior within the walls of state institutions and keeps inmates working towards self-betterment. According to opponents, it undermines the justice of a prison sentence and gives offenders a break they don’t deserve.
One story cited here in the Washington Post points out a specific offender, Shawn Henderson, who was released early from prison for good behavior, and murdered a young woman outside of her apartment building. The victim’s family will speak to the legislature in hopes of putting an end to early releases.

Money is never a good justification for putting other lives at risk. However, there are some very clear benefits to using programs like good time credits in prisons. They have the potential to encourage rehabilitation in a prison setting that isn’t always conducive to reform. But, it is obvious from the Henderson case that not all inmates released early continue to do well once outside of the prison walls.

Many people serving time behind the walls of Maryland State Prisons or even county jails recognize their crimes as a huge mistake. Only a small percentage of offenders are cold blooded killers. For those people who are facing years of prison due to drug addiction or multiple DUI’s, a program like this can truly help them get back on the right track.

When facing criminal charges that could land you in jail, you have every right to be nervous and wonder if your sentence will be affected by this new legislation being considered by the state. If you are up against criminal charges and not sure where to turn, contact me today for a consultation on your case.

Baltimore Gang Members Attempt to Go Straight With the Help of Others

With all of the discouraging news on television and even online, it’s good to see young people reaching out to one another and pulling each other up. It’s especially exciting when these young people have turned from a life of gangs and violence, drugs and death.

The Rose Street Community Center sponsors many youth meetings to reach out to these people who are seeking guidance but may have never had anyone looking back at them before. They are finding a community of like-minded and goal oriented young men at this community center. Men who have been down the same paths to realize that those paths were leading nowhere productive.

As this article from the Baltimore Sun details, people like “Black” are doing their part to help other young gang members and people who have fallen through the cracks. With a number of new federal grants coming their way and support from the majority of the city, programs like these are making great strides.

Too many young people are inducted into gang life at a young age. Children are recruited as young as 11 years old to begin a life of gang banging and drug dealing. Needless to say, these young people typically don’t make it through high school and seldom end up holding steady, legal jobs.
These young people don’t typically have people reaching back to assist them. With programs like the one at Rose Street, young Bloods, Crips, and other gang members are given a second chance to get their GED, start a business, get a job, and leave gangs and drugs behind.

Innovative thinking that can only come from people who have been there and done that is leading these people down the right path for a change. With seemingly unorthodox rewards like a trip to Six Flags, gangs are learning that going straight can have its benefits, that having a flashy car is perhaps less important that having good credit or a home.

Often, young men like these don’t realize the error of their ways until it is too late and they are facing years behind bars. Once involved in the justice system, it becomes even more difficult for someone to get out. But, as this article shows and as the counselors at Rose Street tell their clients, it is possible.

If you have gone down the wrong path and are now facing criminal charges, you may be rethinking your lifestyle as well. The right defense attorney can assist you as you wade your way through the court process.

If you made a mistake and want to change your life around or if you just need some legal advice about some charges you are facing, contact our office today.