Second Look Laws Are an Effective Solution to Reconsider Extreme Sentences Amidst Failing Parole Systems

Nearly 72% of Maryland’s incarcerated population is Black,3 compared to 31% of the state population.4 Maryland’s geriatric and medical parole systems, recently referred to as “one of the worst” in the nation, have been largely ineffective, both earning “F” ratings based on a comprehensive evaluation of the processes.5 Meanwhile, the 200 Marylanders who had been released as a result of Unger v. [...] How can I be a part of the solution now?22 Although the JRA is a step forward in providing meaningful review of juvenile sentences after serving a lengthy period of time, only 6% of Maryland’s prison population were convicted of offenses that occurred under the age of 18, and even fewer than that will serve enough time to be eligible to file a JRA motion.23 Therefore, other age groups should be co. [...] Expanding Second Look Addresses the Ineffectiveness of Parole Systems The limited effectiveness of parole boards in releasing rehabilitated citizens, as well as concerns with the lack of due process and oversight, among other issues, has fueled the need for broader judicial sentence reviews. [...] Indeed, a recommendation of the University of Maryland School of Law after reviewing the Unger Project was to eliminate parole and invest in second look laws and policies.24 A recent report published by the Justice Policy Institute also assessed Maryland’s parole process and found that there was a lack of transparency and data, that rules and regulations were “not necessarily reflected in practice. [...] 11 Statistics maintained by Becky Feldman, former director of the Unger Project at Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender, and current Director of Second Look Network at The Sentencing Project.