Prison reform in Maryland has not kept pace with other states, and while Maryland had one of the most progressive prison systems in the country prior to 1993, it now lags behind in prison reform. Maryland’s system  had a robust educational and vocational program, with parole expectancy built into the system. A person progressed from maximum security to medium, minimum, prerelease, work release, family leave, and eventually released on parole. While much has been done to improve the parole system, and increase eligible person’s chances of being released there are still major areas of concern. Specifically programming for those being released, and access to reentry programs once released.

The Risk assessment instrument is a valuable tool, it helps identify people who can be safely supervised in the community, and should be applied to all categories of incarcerated individuals. People serving parole eligible life sentences has a less recidivism rate than all others release on parole, less than 6%. An area of specific concern is those individuals who were sentenced as juveniles, and those convicted under the felony murder rule; people who were not the primary in committing the crime.

Paroling more people could save money. Appropriately increasing the use of parole can safely reduce prison and jail populations and their associated costs.  In 2010, the annual cost of supervising a person on probation or parole in Maryland was $1,850, which is only five percent of the $36,000 per person cost of incarceration. Maryland Bar Journal. Correctional Reform, December 2011. Monique Dixon, Tracy Velázquez, Walter Lomax.