The Maryland Justice Coalition has been called together by the Center for Poverty Solutions to address adult criminal justice issues. Begining in June, several meetings have been held to determine the direction of the coaltion which has been attended by 10 - 30 people at each meeting. The meetings have been largely attended by representatives from progressive nonprofit organizations. The need for the leadership and inclusion of more former prisoners and family members has been strongly asserted at several meetings.

Initial issues put forth by attendees range from social service to social change. Reform issues include voting restoration, madatory sentancing, parole reform, death penalty, economic impact on families, over representation of people of color, health care for prisoners and access to alternative sentancing/treatment. A formal mission statement and the goals of the coalition have not been finalized but one attendee summarized the issues that need to be addressed as the following: policy and programs to reduce over-incarceration and over-representation; policy and programs to improve conditions of incarceration; and policy and programs to improve successfuly community re-entry after incarceration.

The next meeting of the Maryland Justice Coalition will be Tuesday July 16th at 6:00 pm at the Druid Park Business Center - 2901 Druid Park Drive, Room 209. The following meeting will be Tuesday July 30th at 9:30 am at Soujouner-Douglas College, Child Drop In Center, 500 N. Caroline St.
The Center for Poverty Solutions phone number is 410-366-0600.