African-Americans and Maryland’s Prison Population

A new report details racial disparities in Maryland’s prison population.

The Maryland black prison population is more than double the national average.  The percentage of African-Americans in the state’s prison (70%) is twice that of the state population. (31%). This is coming from a new report by The Justice Policy Institute.  What’s going on here?  Why is this happening?

Resources:

African-Americans and Maryland’s Prison Population

Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad, Assistant Prof., Howard University Department of Sociology and Criminology

Justin Hansford, Executive Director, Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, Howard University School of Law

Ryan King, Director, Research & Policy, The Justice Policy Institute