Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Recognizes Second Chance Month
April 4, 2024
Contact: mark.vernarelli@maryland.gov , latoya.gray@maryland.gov
[MARYLAND]:April marks Second Chance Month, an occasion for reflection and action on the vital importance of reentry initiatives for incarcerated individuals. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MD DPSCS) is proud to acknowledge this significant month dedicated to providing opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation.
In the spirit of Second Chance Month, the Department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that all incarcerated individuals have access to the resources and support necessary for successful reintegration into society. This commitment is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a chance at redemption, regardless of past mistakes.
Throughout April, the Department will spotlight the programs and initiatives that support incarcerated individuals as they prepare for release. These programs encompass a wide range of services aimed at addressing educational, vocational, mental health, and substance abuse needs, equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive upon reentry into their communities.
We are preparing our incarcerated community to come back home. Our state's incarcerated individuals deserve an opportunity, a fair shake, and the chance for redemption.
The Department is hyper-focused on offering our incarcerated individuals opportunities to work toward starting anew and changing what many have deemed a predetermined outcome. One of the best things we can provide to an individual to become a productive member of society is the tool of education. The power of education transcends a crime and a poor decision that may be holding them back in one way or another and provides an opportunity for a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance. We all make costly decisions in our lives, and if it wasn't for a second chance, we may not be where we are today.
Education is a stepping stone to a living wage, and the educational opportunities offered to our population have to bridge the gap from diploma to self-reliance. The Department is leading in this space. We are proud to partner with five colleges and universities, including Goucher College, Bowie State University, Georgetown University, Wor-Wic Community College, and the University of Baltimore. We currently provide BA and AA degrees to incarcerated students at multiple Maryland prisons.
Additional institutions are gaining approval to offer programs behind prison walls. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every incarcerated individual not only has access to furthering their education at any level in every prison in the state but also imparts the skills necessary to earn an income and support their families as they reenter society.
The Department encourages all stakeholders, including community organizations, policymakers, and citizens, to recognize Second Chance Month and advocate for criminal justice reform that prioritizes rehabilitation and reintegration. Working together can create a safer, more just society for all.
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services exemplifies the ethos of the Moore-Miller Administration motto, "Leave No One Behind," by its unwavering commitment to justice-involved citizens. Throughout its initiatives and policies, DPSCS ensures that no individual is overlooked or marginalized, regardless of their involvement with the criminal justice system, embodying the spirit of leaving no one behind and striving for justice and equity for all citizens, including those who have encountered the criminal justice system.
For further inquiries, please contact: mark.vernarelli@maryland.gov , latoya.gray@maryland.gov
