At the core of this travesty is excessively harsh crime policies, which when paired with racially biased policing result in mass incarceration of people of color.

African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites, while Latinos comprise about 20% of all inmates. In 1980, there were about 40,000 people in American jails and prisons for drug crimes. Today, there are almost 500,000.

The ACLU of Maryland advocates for humane and sensible policies that respect basic rights, seek to end racial profiling and make the best use of limited resources to help keep us safe.

And then join the conversation by attending one or more of our upcoming events:

FREE Film Screening
“Corrections, 2011”
Artist & Filmmaker: Ashley Hunt

Thursday, September 12, 7:00 p.m.
MICA's Falvey Hall, Brown Center
1300 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217

Ashley Hunt investigates the intuition of prison: how it helps to structure and preserve racial and economic divisions within society. Hunt also exposes the conflict between for-profit corporations focused on pleasing investors and it’s communities, which contributes to high incarceration rates.

Constitution Day 2013
"Bars and Stripes Forever: Inequalities and Incarceration in America"

Tuesday, September 17, 7 to 9 p.m.
MICA's Falvey Hall, Brown Center
1300 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217

The discussion will focus on inequality and incarceration in America. Our panelists include:

•    David Simon, author, journalist and writer/producer of "The Wire"
•    Susan Burton, social innovator who founded an organization that helps formerly incarcerated women re-enter into society
•    Ashley Hunt, artist who uses video, photography, mapping and writing to engage social movements and investigate the prison system

The panel will be moderated by Aaron Henkin, co-creator and co-producer of "The Signal" on WYPR 88.1 FM.

Maryland Restorative Justice Initiative Town Hall Meeting
Individuals Serving Life Sentences Who Were Convicted as Juveniles, Or Under the Felony Murder Law

Saturday, September 28, 1-4 p.m.
Morgan State University-Student Center, Room 133
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251

Hosted by the Maryland Restorative Justice Initiative, this meeting will focus on juveniles convicted under the felony murder law and those recently released under the UNGER decision.

Keynote speakers include Senator Nathaniel McFadden, Senator Lisa Gladden and more. Sonia Kumar from the ACLU Maryland will be among other panelists in the discussion. 

MORE INFO: Walter Lomax, 443-413-6076, waltermandalalomax@hotmail.com