ACTION ALERT
Keep Kids Out of Maryland's Adult Jails

Here's how you can help:

1. Call House Judiciary Committee members and/or your legislator to urge passage of the "transfer" bill (HB 520).

2. Send letters! Send letters to House Judiciary Committee members and/or your legislator to urge passage of the "transfer" bill (HB 520). A sample letter is attached.

3. Attend the March 6th hearing at 1pm. The House Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing in Annapolis at the State Capitol and you can show your support by attending and making your views heard!

4. Take Action on March 10th! Come to the Legislative Education Day, sponsored by the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition's Community Action Members.

5. Get others involved (host a letter-signing or phone-banking activity).

Contact House Judiciary Committee members to urge passage of the "transfer" bill (HB 520 Delegate Marriott):

Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3488) e-mail: joseph_vallario@house.state.md.us
Anthony G. Brown (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3707) e-mail: anthony_brown@house.state.md.us
Carmen Amedori (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3371) e-mail: carmen_amedori@house.state.md.us
Curtis S. (Curt) Anderson (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3291) e-mail: curt_anderson@house.state.md.us
*Jill P. Carter (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3283) e-mail: jill_carter@house.state.md.us
Kathleen M. Dumais (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3052) e-mail: kathleen_dumais@house.state.md.us
Donald H. Dwyer, Jr. (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3217) e-mail: don_dwyer@house.state.md.us
*Ana Sol Gutierrez (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3028) e-mail: ana_gutierrez@house.state.md.us
W. Louis Hennessy (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3247) e-mail: louis_hennessy@house.state.md.us
Darryl A. Kelley (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3012) e-mail: darryl_kelley@house.state.md.us
Kevin Kelly (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3404)
*Susan C. Lee (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3019) e-mail: susan_lee@house.state.md.us
Susan K. McComas (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3289) e-mail: susan_mccomas@house.state.md.us
Herbert H. McMillan (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3439) e-mail: herb_mcmillan@house.state.md.us
*Pauline H. Menes (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3114) e-mail: pauline_menes@house.state.md.us
Anthony J. O'Donnell (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3314) e-mail: anthony_odonnell@house.state.md.us
Carol S. Petzold (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3001) e-mail: carol_stoker_petzold@house.state.md.us
Neil F. Quinter (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3246) e-mail: neil_quinter@house.state.md.us
Christopher B. Shank (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3447)
Luiz R. S. Simmons (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3037) e-mail: luiz_simmons@house.state.md.us
Theodore J. Sophocleus (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3233) e-mail: ted_sophocleus@house.state.md.us
Robert A. Zirkin (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3342) e-mail: bobby_zirkin@house.state.md.us

*Indicates that the member is a "co-sponsor" of this bill.

Suggested Tips for contacting legislators:

• Contact legislators on legislative days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in their office in Annapolis before the legislative sessions begins at 11 am.
• If you cannot talk directly to the legislator, leave a message with their staff person.
• Ask for the staff's name, and write it down with the date and time you called.
• Give the staff your name and address and ask for a written response to your call.
• Let your legislators know you are from their district.
• Tell them you'll be contacting them again to find out what specific steps they've taken to address your concerns.

Sample Script:

I support this legislation because our current law does not work, it is harming kids and it needs to be changed. Here's why:

• Under current law, youth of color are treated more harshly than white youth even when charged with similar offenses. For example, white youth receive rehabilitative treatment and services - if they are prosecuted at all - while African-American and Latino youth are sent to the adult criminal court where they receive no rehabilitative treatment and services, and they get a criminal record instead of an education. This is unequal justice and it needs to be changed.

• Youths' lives are now being destroyed. Youth are not being rehabilitated. Youth sent to the adult court under our current laws receive a criminal record instead of a second chance. Youth tried as adults are often denied crucial employment and educational opportunities.

• The current law does not lower crime or protect public safety. To date, there is no evidence that our state's transfer law which sends youth to adult court and adult jails as young as 14, works. In fact, there is significant evidence that shows these kinds of laws have the direct opposite effect, that is, trying youth in adult court increases crime!

• There is little public support for sending kids to adult court and adult jails.

• Sending kids to adult prison wastes taxpayer dollars: Taxpayer dollars should be spent on programs that are proven to work -- rehabilitative treatment and services to help them turn their lives around -- not on expanding more prison beds.

Here's my name and address, and I would like a written response to my call on how you intend to vote on this legislation.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Dear Chairman Vallario:

I am writing to urge you to support "transfer" legislation (HB 520)to keep kids out of Maryland's adult jails. I support this legislation because our current law does not work, it is harming kids and it needs to be changed. Here's why:

• Under current law, youth of color are treated more harshly than white youth even when charged with similar offenses. For example, white youth receive rehabilitative treatment and services - if they are prosecuted at all - while African-American and Latino youth are sent to the adult criminal court where they receive no rehabilitative treatment and services, and they get a criminal record instead of an education. This is unequal justice and it needs to be changed.

• Youths' lives are now being destroyed. Youth are not being rehabilitated. Youth sent to the adult court under our current laws receive a criminal record instead of a second chance. Youth tried as adults are often denied crucial employment and educational opportunities, such as denial of federal student financial aid. We've got to put an end

• The current law does not lower crime or protect public safety. To date, there is no evidence that our state's transfer law which sends youth to adult court and adult jails as young as 14, works. In fact, there is significant evidence that shows these kinds of laws have the direct opposite effect, that is, trying youth in adult court increases crime!

• There is little support for sending kids to adult court and adult jails.

• Sending kids to adult prison wastes taxpayer dollars: Taxpayer dollars should be spent on programs that are proven to work -- rehabilitative treatment and services to help them turn their lives around -- not on expanding more prison beds.

I urge your serious consideration of my concerns and would appreciate a written response on your position on this legislation. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,