Maryland's Returning Residents Are Being Left Behind
This op-ed is written by Alfrieda Hylton, Capitol Heights resident and chairperson of The Progressive Maryland Returning Citizens Task Force.
As an activist and mother who has witnessed the challenges of returning from incarceration firsthand, I am deeply troubled by the lack of funding for critical reentry services in our state. Returning residents face numerous obstacles upon release because the criminal justice system sets up many to fail.
I have two sons who have been incarcerated due to non-violent offenses and were trapped in a revolving door upon release. They both served lengthy sentences and then when the prison doors opened, the doors of society were slammed shut. They witnessed barriers and obstacles coming back into their community, like finding a job that would hire them with their record. Rejected and deprived of the resources to stay out of prison. Living their day-to-day life felt impossible. Which made it more difficult to turn their lives around as productive citizens. It was nothing but a setup by the justice system for them to fail outside of prison walls.
“Studies have shown that every dollar invested in reentry services yields significant returns by reducing recidivism rates, saving taxpayer dollars, and strengthening communities.”
In Prince George's County and across the state, returning citizens often struggle to find stable housing, lack the job skills necessary for gainful employment, or have a lack of education; and many struggle with mental health and addiction issues, sometimes with these aforementioned issues co-occurring. Some lack sufficient medical care. Some have no social or family support.
What is even more disheartening is knowing that state policymakers diverted funding away from reentry, especially with our state being in a budget deficit because wealthy corporations will lobby and do everything they can possibly do to not pay their fair share of taxes which would generate revenue for programs that returning residents need.
Therefore, corporate lobbying in our politics plays a significant role in perpetuating this injustice.
Reentry programs connect people to integrated services and treatment that promote self-sufficiency and reduce recidivism, equipping them for long-term opportunities and success. Investing in reentry wrap-around services or programs is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. Studies have shown that every dollar invested in reentry services yields significant returns by reducing recidivism rates, saving taxpayer dollars, and strengthening communities. It is time for our elected officials - including Gov. Wes Moore - to prioritize funding for critical reentry services and ensure that returning citizens have access to the support they need to succeed.
Moore's lack of outspokenness in remedying this situation is concerning. While our state grapples with a growing budget deficit, the governor has failed to take decisive action to address the root causes of our fiscal challenges and the lack of funding for critical services like reentry programs. By allowing corporate interests to dictate our state's budget priorities, he’s failing to uphold his duty to serve all Marylanders, particularly those who are most marginalized and disenfranchised. In today’s ever-changing world, effective leadership matters, and I’m still waiting for our Governor to step up.
As a resident of Prince George's County and a concerned citizen of Maryland, I urge the governor to honor his campaign pledge of “leave no one behind” by taking action to prioritize funding for our most vulnerable residents and to demand a more equitable distribution of resources.
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