There was an update from Maryland where parole reform measures failed to advance this year. Activists published a policy report and earned media attention to mobilize support for the legislative remedy of removing the governor from the parole process. Maryland is one of three states, including Oklahoma and California that maintain this policy. However, with state’s new governor lawmakers resisted advancing legislative remedies claiming they want to see if the new governor will approve more applicants for release. If the governor approves persons for parole there is a thought that likely candidates will be persons sentenced as juveniles and convicted of felony murder. Next steps include bolstering grassroots support to reinforce consensus for reform.
