The Sentencing Project Applauds Governor Wes Moore Signing of the Maryland Second Look Act
Maryland's Second Look legislation creates a pathway for Marylanders to petition for a judicial review after serving at least 20 years behind bars.
Related to: Voting Rights, State Advocacy
Washington, D.C. – The Sentencing Project, a national research and advocacy organization dedicated to ending mass incarceration issued the following statement commending Governor Wes Moore for signing the Maryland Second Look Act (House Bill 853) today:
“With Governor Moore’s signature, Maryland has taken a meaningful step toward advancing justice, redemption, and community safety. This landmark legislation creates a pathway for Marylanders to petition for a judicial review after serving at least 20 years behind bars.
“While the new law marks a step in the right direction, we must caution that arbitrary distinctions continue to erode the promise of justice. That’s why we’re calling on Maryland’s legislature to extend second‐look protections to all individuals whose sentences exceed a life‐changing threshold. Research shows that broad, inclusive review processes lead to low recidivism and strong public‐safety outcomes. This law must reflect what experts, impacted individuals, and communities have long understood: people grow, change, and deserve a second chance. We celebrate this progress, and will keep working toward a future where the opportunity for a second chance is available to everyone, without exclusion.”
Recent polling demonstrated that 65% of Marylanders support this measure. The Sentencing Project in coalition with a number of state and local organizations testified in support of the Second Look Act in the state legislature this session. To learn more about similar legislation around the country, visit sentencingproject.org.
