Specifically, lawmakers including Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, want to strengthen penalties for gun-related offenses, a reliable GOP talking point. One of their concerns: The juvenile justice reform bill passed last year that makes it less likely that young, first-time offenders would be incarcerated. Does the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services put individuals it oversees on a better path? In other words, are all the high-minded ideals that have informed recent criminal justice reforms really put into actual practice? But secondly, we should understand the extent to which juvenile justice could use additional resources, staffing and oversight.

Source: Daily Sun July 12, 2023 06:54 UTC