Under Vincent Schiraldi's leadership, Maryland DJS launched Thrive Academy to identify & intervene with youth at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. It recently won an innovation award. Here Schiraldi discusses an early Thrive Academy success story.

Not to late to join >200 sign-ons in this letter to Governor Wes Moore in support of research-backed, equitable, community-driven youth justice. Together we can hold the line against reactionary calls to return to failed tough on crime policies which disproportionately harm Black kids.

Sign-ons close this afternoon, when an updated version reflecting this growing list of orgs & individuals from across MD and the country will be delivered to the Governor by Maryland Youth Justice Coalition coalition and partners. Read the full letter and sign on here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Important opportunity tomorrow to hear critical updates re: policing in Baltimore, and to share thoughts and feedback surrounding progress (or lack thereof) under the consent decree. Please see more info including zoom link sign up below. U.S. Department of Justice Consent Decree Monitoring Team BPD Consent Decree Implementation Unit

🎦 NEW AD: Under Project 2025, “Stop & Frisk” — a policy allowing cops to stop, interrogate, and search any person at will — would become the standard in every neighborhood across the country. We can't let this happen. Vote. Safety, accountability, and justice are on the ballot.

If you're concerned about harmful media narratives about kids and crime in Maryland, you should follow what's happening at the Baltimore Sun, and support Baltimore Sun Guild ☀️ in their effort to protect journalistic standards.

Very excited that my forthcoming ⁦University of California Press (is on Bluesky)⁩ book on youth sports will be published in April!

Having gone to law school with Matt Gaetz and subsequently observed his feckless disregard for the rule of law or anything that remotely resembles decency, humility, good-faith, sound judgement, or competency - this is a most disappointing selection. We deserve better.

❄️✨ On this snowy Friday, Second Look partners are at the UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform Criminal Legal Reform Retreat Part 2! Join us in the fight for justice and second chances as we gear up for #mdga25. Check out our website to see how you can get involved! 💪🏽👏🏽 #mdsecondlook

Massachusetts last year made prison and jail telephone calls free. Since then, calls have DOUBLED. This means incarcerated people & their loved ones are better connected — which may improve the transition back to society. wgbh.org/news/local/202…

With the Mid-Atlantic in a cold snap, I'm receiving messages similar to the ones I used to get covering Florida prisons in the summer. This dispatch is from a prisoner in Western Maryland (I've asked the corrections department to respond).

NEW: State Sen. Sen. Jill P. Carter Emerita, who has bern an influential voice for progressive criminal justice reform, is resigning from the Maryland Senate. She’s taking a position on the state contract appeals board. From Brenda Wintrode and me: thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power…

New: Baltimore clears more hurdles in its nearly-eight-years-old quest to exit a BPD reform agreement with federal authorities. The mile markers come amid uncertainty around the DOJ's role under Trump and a steep drop-off in gun violence. More context here:thebaltimorebanner.com/community/crim…

Michigan recently wiped away all past juvenile court debt, giving kids & families a fresh start. Some children had been saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt — and Black children were disproportionately targeted. This is a big deal. boltsmag.org/michigan-juven…

Please join UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform and partners for a Second Chance Month Town Hall & Reception: “The Economic Benefits of Expungement: Building Momentum from the Expungement Reform Act of 2025 to Clean Slate.” Monday, April 14th, 5:30pm University of Baltimore School of Law. RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Join us this evening for a Second Chance Month Town Hall & Reception as we celebrate progress and build momentum for the work ahead. 5:30pm University of Baltimore School of Law!

This reckless decision could undermine our record reductions in homicides & non-fatal shootings. The administration must immediately restore this funding. Anything less jeopardizes critically important work that is saving lives both here in Baltimore & across the country.

New: Upheaval at the DOJ's Civil Rights Division has made its way to Baltimore. Just one DOJ attorney is monitoring the Baltimore Police Department's consent decree after nine of his colleagues resigned last week. City leaders are vowing to forge ahead, for now.

Can you take five minutes today to call your representatives in DC and tell them that community violence intervention programs need sustainable funding for generational work and the recent cuts by the Trump administration must be restored? #ProtectCVI #CVIDayOfAction