Dear John,
Yesterday, Maryland lawmakers took a step towards justice by passing the Second Look Act, legislation that allows a judicial review of sentences after serving 20 years for those who committed their offense under the age of 25. This legislation recognizes what researchers, communities, and impacted individuals have long known: people grow, change, and deserve the opportunity for a second chance. The bill goes next to the governor’s desk for signature.
Thanks to this bill, at least 1,000 individuals in Maryland serving parole-eligible life sentences or sentences up to 50 years or longer — who are disproportionately Black — will have the opportunity to petition for a sentence review after serving two decades behind bars. This is not a guarantee of release, but rather a recognition that excessive sentencing does not make our communities safer.
The Sentencing Project testified in support of the bill and partnered with state advocates and formerly incarcerated activists to educate lawmakers and the public on the importance of giving people serving extreme sentences a meaningful opportunity for release. Unfortunately, lawmakers amended the bill to exclude individuals sentenced to life without parole and those convicted of sex-related offenses in the final bill, making an indefensible distinction between who is worthy of a second chance.
We remain committed to ensuring that Maryland - and the entire country - truly embraces second chances for all. We will continue advocating for data-driven community safety policies that recognize the transformative potential of rehabilitation and the urgency of addressing racial justice in our criminal legal system.
