The Justice Policy Institute, a progressive nonprofit group based in Washington, sent me an interesting report that contains voices of Baltimore residents talking about violence and ways to fix the problem. The same agency also has a new study out on Maryland's parole system arguing that the state could save money by releasing low-risk offenders, such as older inmates, into parole. That study is here. I'll read through it later and get back to you with my thoughts.

A summary of the report on violence follows:

Baltimore City residents share their experiences and hopes for the future

Teens spending their free time comforting parents who have lost their own children to violence; a woman fighting to break the cycle of addiction while fighting to keep her family together; a man struggling to keep his job while trying to comply with unreasonable parole reporting requirements; a formerly incarcerated single mother who is making her daughter proud by getting her degree; and a woman struggles with the murder of her son and forgiving his assailant. These are some of the people who share their experiences in a new report, “Bearing Witness: Baltimore City’s residents give voice to what’s needed to fix the criminal justice system,” released this week by the Justice Policy Institute. In a brilliant blend of narratives and policy recommendations, Bearing Witness lays bare the ugly facts around crime and punishment in Maryland’s largest city, while also shining a light on the hope and resiliency of those most affected by decades of failed policies. 

“Bearing Witness provides a glimpse of not only the impact the criminal justice system has on communities, but how hopeful and determined the families in Baltimore are,” said Shakti Belway, the author of the report.  “Each person’s experience demonstrates their resilience in the face of incredible obstacles and their willingness to provide support and opportunity for others who might face similar outcomes.”

Compared to the rest of Maryland, Baltimore City faces a concentrated impact of the criminal justice system. Although home to a little more than 600,000 people, and in 2006 the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center processed nearly 100,000 arrests and detained 44,825 individuals.  In 2008, 61 percent of newly-incarcerated people in Maryland prisons were from Baltimore City. 

“Baltimore’s relationship with the criminal justice system is deep-rooted,” said Tracy Velázquez, executive director of the Justice Policy Institute. “Each voice in this report reinforces what we already know, that treatment, wrap-around services and other alternatives to incarceration benefit families and communities.”

Bearing Witness, collaborative effort of community members and organizations, serves as a cautionary tale for communities that rely on the criminal justice system to solve social problems. he report identifies five areas that are critical to Baltimore City becoming a safer and healthier community:

* Women and families have unique needs.  When a woman is sent to prison, her entire family also feels the punishment.  Treatment, interventions, and wrap-around services should be designed with women and their families in mind. 

* Parole and probation serve as a revolving door that sends people back to prison.  The parole and probation system is focused on catching people who are not meeting the conditions of release.  Instead, those systems should focus on ensuring that people get the support they need to stay out of prison.

* A public health approach to drug addiction would eliminate the practice of sending people to prison who, in reality, need treatment.  Community-based treatment options that include the family and are available on demand would make this approach a reality. 

* Expanding opportunities and investing in solutions will preserve public safety and strengthen Baltimore City for years to come.  Rather than putting money into prisons and the criminal justice system, the community would benefit from stronger education and re-entry programs, job training, youth-oriented programs, and other community-based initiatives.

* Restorative justice and community conferencing are effective and less costly alternatives to incarceration.  The criminal justice system, as it is currently designed does not meet the needs of victims, the community or the people who caused harm.

Here's the complete study.