Maryland’s Second Look Act Passes: A Step Forward, But Justice Still Has Limits
Maryland's Second Look Act will give at least 1,000 individuals in Maryland serving parole-eligible life sentences or sentences up to 50 years or longer the opportunity to petition for a sentence review after serving two decades behind bars.
Related to: Sentencing Reform, State Advocacy
[Washington, D.C.] – The Sentencing Project, a national research and advocacy organization dedicated to ending mass incarceration issued the following statement in reaction to the passage of the Maryland Second Look Act (House Bill 853):
“Maryland has taken a significant step toward justice with the passage of House Bill 853, the Maryland Second Look Act. This legislation recognizes what researchers, communities, and impacted individuals have long known: people grow, change, and deserve the opportunity for a second chance.
“Thanks to this bill, at least 1,000 individuals in Maryland serving parole-eligible life sentences or sentences up to 50 years or longer 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.
“However, we must also acknowledge the bill’s shortcomings. By excluding individuals sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) and those convicted of sex-related offenses, Maryland is making an indefensible distinction between who is worthy of a second chance. In Washington, D.C., 250 individuals were released after the passage of the Second Look Amendment Act with extremely low levels of reoffending, proving that broadly inclusive resentencing is not counterproductive to community safety. The idea that LWOP sentences fundamentally differ from life sentences with parole is a distinction without merit, when people are not given the chance to request sentencing review. Research tells us that desistance from crime is the norm, even for sex-related offenses.
“As we celebrate this progress, we remain committed to ensuring that Maryland truly embraces second chances for all. Our work does not end here—we will continue advocating for policies that recognize redemption and rehabilitation without arbitrary exclusions.”
