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Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Drug crisis drives cut in Maryland prison terms

Over the years, repeat drug offenders in Maryland have been faced with the prospect of being convicted and sentenced to mandatory minimum sentences of 10, 25 and, in some cases, 40 years without parole.

But that will change next year with the elimination of such sentences in the state.

For the most part, mandatory sentences will no longer be available as leverage for prosecutors as of Oct. 1, 2017. They were eliminated as part of the Justice Reinvestment Act passed by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year.

"The overarching goal of this legislation is to reduce prison populations by reducing recidivism through additional treatment and therapeutic programs for nonviolent offenders," said Del. Brett Wilson, R-Washington, who is also an assistant state's attorney. "It is intended to be a self-funding program, paid for by savings realized by the reduced populations."

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yep The drug war has been an utter failure. Only contributed to the increase of a police state. legalize pot Collect taxes, increase Revenue quit sending people to prison for stupid offences! murderers,theives and rapists belong in prison

Anonymous said...

Very good decision.

Anonymous said...

True stoner responses.

Anonymous said...

Cut prison sentences and prohibit law abiding citizens from following 42 other states for concealed carry. Bring in casinos and alow pot to be grown. And yet these miserable SOB liberals continue to get elected.

Anonymous said...

Let me ask you then if only one cell was left who would you like to see in it. Hillary or some stoner?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
True stoner responses.

October 5, 2016 at 10:22 PM

better than yours.

Anonymous said...

If they had kept jail a unsavory place to be instead of.. a free room and board with optional telephone and drug service. MAYBE criminals won't want to go back..works in Thailand and Asia..