Md. justice reforms a first step

As Baltimore and the nation reeled in response to the mistrial a week ago in the first case of police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, Maryland's Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, or JRCC, made recommendations to Gov. Larry Hogan on how to reform Maryland's criminal justice system.

The JRCC recommended some laudable and important policy reforms that would reduce sentences for some offenders, increase parole grant rates and strengthen supervision, particularly removing some of the many barriers to reentry into society. But it is critical that we recognize these recommendations as a first — not final — step toward confronting all the ugly realities plaguing Maryland's criminal justice system.

Nationwide, there are more Americans in state and federal prisons than ever before; nearly 2.3 million Americans are currently incarcerated, which is more than six times the average rate across developed nations. But the incarceration rate does not hit everyone equally. Communities of color, and particularly men of color, are more likely to be behind bars than other groups. In fact, black men are six times more likely, and Latino men 2.5 times more likely, to be incarcerated than white men.

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