The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is considering changes to a statewide policy on time off for good behavior – formally known as Diminution Credits. This program allows people who are incarcerated to reduce their jail sentence for good conduct such as furthering their education or undergoing rehabilitation.
In many states as well as Maryland, inmates can earn up to 15 days per month with the possibility of reducing their sentence by half. The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention has released statistics from 2009 showing that 51% of Maryland inmates who are convicted for a crime of violence and let out early on mandatory release are re-arrested and back in prison within three years.
Delegate Ben Kramer (D-District 19) is one of the state legislators leading the effort to reduce the number of days off a sentence that can be earned each month from 15 to 10. This legislation would allow criminals to become eligible for mandatory release after serving 66% of their sentence instead of 50% as is now the case. Our police officers have asked that we make citizens aware of the existing law and the pending legislation to change it. For those of you who would like further information, we suggest you read the following story that can be found on the Gazette website.
If you wish to voice your opinion on this matter to members of the legislature, it is important that you do so as soon as possible. Below is a form letter that you can use for this purpose.
You may also contact Montgomery County Police Commander Nancy Demme (nancy.demme@montgomerycountymd.gov) or Captain Patricia Walker (patricia.walker@montgomerycountymd.gov) or Delegate Ben Kramer (benjamin.kramer@house.state.md.us) for more information.