Change Maryland: Gov. O'Malley Must Return To Annapolis, Address Prison Situation

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan called on Gov. Martin O'Malley to cut short his international travel, return from the Middle East and postpone his musings about running for President until he has addressed a serious issue of major corruption in the state's prison system. More than a dozen Maryland state prison guards helped a dangerous national gang operate a criminal enterprise from behind bars according to federal prosecutors.

The indictment details systemic failures in a Baltimore jail in which there was no oversight, gross mismanagement and failure of leadership. A gang called Black Guerilla Family (BGF) and one of it's leaders in the Baltimore facility, were allegedly given control of the facility.

"Martin O'Malley is not running state government. He was smiling in Israel yesterday talking about running for President while his employees are being charged by the U.S. Attorney," said Hogan. "It is unacceptable for the Governor to go missing in action while inmates are apparently free to threaten the public's safety from behind bars."

According to U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, “Correctional officers were in bed with BGF inmates, in violation of the first principle of prison management. Preventing prison corruption requires intensive screening at prison entrances and punishment for employees who consort with inmates or bring cell phones and drugs into correctional facilities.”

Thirteen corrections officers essentially handed over control of a Baltimore jail to gang leaders, prosecutors said. The officers were charged Tuesday in a federal racketeering indictment.

Hogan called on the Governor to immediately dismiss his corrections cabinet secretary for gross negligence, failure to provide oversight of the state prison system and complete mismanagement and lack of control over the department. He also agreed with the need for a sweeping inquiry into the entire prison system that would include active participation from the General Assembly.

"Nobody should accept inmates running the show, most of all the Governor," said Hogan.