UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform

Supporting community-driven efforts to improve public safety and address the harm and inequity caused by the criminal legal system nationally and in Baltimore.

[UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform @ubalt_ccjr]

“Growing evidence shows that the policing of poverty, mental illness and addiction undermines public safety and erodes systemic legitimacy — at a time when we can afford neither.”

@ubaltlaw Center for Criminal Justice Reform’s @HeatherWarnken w/ @SomilBTrivedi in @baltimoresun:

[Heather Warnken @HeatherWarnken]

It’s painful that we’re still having these conversations in 2023 but here we are. Today @SomilBTrivedi @MDLegalAid & I lay out reasons why the State’s Attorney’s new citation docket is misguided and cruel. When we know better, we’re supposed to do better.

https://t.co/8j4az3cZKx

[Ben Conarck @conarck]

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.

[Nick Wilson @NickWilsonB]

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

[Brandon M. Scott @MayorBMScott]

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.

[UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform @ubalt_ccjr]

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 @ubaltlaw!

[Heather Warnken @HeatherWarnken]

Please join @ubalt_ccjr 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 @ubaltlaw. RSVP here:

https://t.co/60UfLkoMFk

[Heather Warnken @HeatherWarnken]

Please join @ubalt_ccjr 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 @ubaltlaw. RSVP here:

https://t.co/60UfLkoMFk

[Pamela Wood @pwoodreporter]

NEW: State Sen. @jillpcarter, 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 @WintrodeBrenda and me:

https://t.co/R85D8O8KvC

[Ben Conarck @conarck]

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:https://t.co/yW5C434sqY

[Ben Conarck @conarck]

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).

[MD Second Look Coalition @mdsecondlook]

❄️✨ On this snowy Friday, Second Look partners are at the @ubalt_ccjr 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

[Senator Will Smith (District 20) @Willcsmithjr]

Having gone to law school with @mattgaetz 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.

[Dionne Koller @DionneKoller]

Very excited that my forthcoming ⁦@ucpress⁩ book on youth sports will be published in April!

[Maryland Youth Justice Coalition @mdyouthjustice]

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 @baltsunguild in their effort to protect journalistic standards.

[Vera Action @veraactionorg]

🎦 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.

[UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform @ubalt_ccjr]

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. @TheJusticeDept @BPDMonitor @BPD_CDIU

[UBalt Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform @ubalt_ccjr]

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. @TheJusticeDept @BPDMonitor @BPD_CDIU

[Heather Warnken @HeatherWarnken]

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 @mdyouthjustice coalition and partners.

Read the full letter and sign on here:

https://t.co/nNab09VrnY

[Heather Warnken @HeatherWarnken]

Not to late to join >200 sign-ons in this letter to @GovWesMoore 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.

[Nick Wilson @NickWilsonB]

Under Vincent Schiraldi's leadership, @MarylandDJS 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.

[Nick Wilson @NickWilsonB]

Vincent Schiraldi has worked tirelessly to rebuild Maryland's juvenile justice system after years of cuts & neglect under Hogan. We're lucky to have such a national expert and dedicated public servant helping make our communities safer.

[Maryland Youth Justice Coalition @mdyouthjustice]

Read a copy of the letter here: https://t.co/59WYzTPCYW