OAG and OPD Release Groundbreaking Report on Racial Disparities in Maryland’s Criminal Legal System

Attorney General Anthony Brown, in partnership with Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, is proud to announce the release of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative’s inaugural report, “Breaking the 71%: A Path Toward Racial Equity in the Criminal Legal System.”

This comprehensive study addresses the alarming reality that Black Marylanders, while comprising only 30% of our state’s population, represent 71% of those incarcerated in our correctional facilities—the highest such disparity nationwide.

The report presents 18 evidence-based recommendations to reform law enforcement practices, criminal sentencing, health services, detention policies, reentry programs, education, and youth justice. These recommendations reflect input from state agencies, community organizations, academic institutions, and directly impacted individuals.  View the fu​ll report