ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will cancel the debt for outstanding mandatory, parole, and administrative release supervision fees and drug testing fees for individuals who are currently under the supervision of the agency’s Division of Parole and Probation. The action will relieve administrative debt for 6,715 parole, mandatory, and administrative cases, totalling more than $13 million.
“Marylanders who serve their time deserve a second chance without bearing the financial burden of recurring administrative fees,” said Gov. Moore. “Leave no one behind is not just a talking point for us, it’s a governing philosophy. This action will create paths to work, wages, and wealth for Marylanders; grow our economy; and build a state that is more equitable and just.”
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Division of Parole and Probation collects supervision fees from individuals who are under mandatory release, parole, administrative release, or under probation supervision when ordered by the court. The supervision fee is currently $50 per month for individuals who were placed on supervision on or after June 1, 2011, and $40 per month for individuals who were placed on supervision before June 1, 2011.
House Bill 0531, which took effect October 1, repealed the Maryland Parole Commission’s authority to assess supervision fees against an individual under supervision. The legislation also repealed the commission’s authorization to require an individual who is on parole, mandatory, or administrative release supervision to pay for drug and alcohol testing fees under some circumstances.
“Even the most motivated people coming home from prison have trouble getting a job, whether because of the scarlet letter of their criminal record, struggles with substance abuse or just managing that difficult transition to life back in the real world. By waiving supervision fees, which disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color, Governor Moore and the General Assembly are easing financial burdens on Marylanders trying to get their lives back on track,” said Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. “These changes will also lower the risk of recidivism and help advance our shared goal of eliminating mass incarceration.”
The total amount of supervision and testing fees ordered is $14,338,345.23. From the total, $998,455.23 has been collected by the Division of Parole and Probation. The balance of $13,360,087.56 in supervision and testing fees is subject to the department’s debt cancellation action.
“The decision to waive parole and drug testing fees aligns with Governor Moore’s vision for a more supportive reintegration process,” said Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn Scruggs. ”This decision eases financial burden, promotes successful reintegration, and will ultimately help reduce recidivism among returning citizens.”
Fee reductions apply only to current parolees who are under active supervision and does not include individuals who are no longer under supervision or cases that have already been referred to the Department of Budget and Management’s Central Collection Unit.
“I commend the administration for taking this important step in removing an unnecessary barrier to reentry,” said Del. Elizabeth M. Embry. “Waiving these fees allows people to focus on providing for themselves and for their families as they reintegrate back into the community.”
Another handout on our backs..illegals, college loans, now this..STOP SPENDING MY (OUR) MONEY ON CRIMINALS!!!!!!
Becuz law-abiding taxpayers need to pay their fair share for the benefit of the felons and bureaucrats who feast off them!!
That is income that will now be paid by the taxpayers.
Demoncrats – soft on crime…buying votes after they get reinstated!
This Mooron took a budget surplus, squandered it, and now wants more from the taxpayers!
What we deserve for voting for these clowns – and thanks again Larry Hogan for endorsing this one!
Does that mean we can get rid of a bunch of non-essential government “employees” at the department of parole and probation due to lack of “work”? LOL-Just kidding!
Unreal. Magical waiving of the wand to pander to a demographic in order to secure future votes. Why sentence them to any punishments at all?
Hey Moore, why don’t you help out everyone that drives an ICE vehicle and do away with the gas tax until 2025 ?
Waiving these fees allows people to focus on providing for themselves and for their families as they reintegrate back into the community.” Or until they screw up again and end up back in prison. Which ever comes first.
Les Worse is our Soros marionette so this makes some twisted logic, to him.
I have a different view of what “paid their debt to society” should look like to have felons welcomed back to full citizenship status. When they have done their time and paid back any fines levied, reimbursed their victims, and paid back the actual cost of their incarceration (food, clothing, lodging) necessitated by their behavior they can be considered rehabbed and welcomed back to full citizenship. Their actions are why imprisonment was needed.
Criminals should bear the cost of the prison system after conviction. We’ll continue to foot the bill until conviction or acquittal.
Les Worse is the pits.
“Marylanders who serve their time deserve a second chance without bearing the financial burden of recurring administrative fees,” They may have served their time, but now they must pay their dept.
” bearing the financial burden of recurring administrative fees,” Oh, you mean like the rest of us that continually
having to pay taxes on everything we own or buy ? Now you want to take the tax money collected from law abiding maryland tax payers to pay off the dept of released criminals ?
Just a typical democrat, tax and spend.
What a BIG mistake for dummies to have voted this POS into office.
Wes Moore is stealing our money….