“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,” stated Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
On October 4th, Maryland announced that its state correction department is canceling all debt tied to outstanding mandatory, parole, and administrative release supervision fees and drug testing fees for returning citizens. This move builds off the recent passage of #HB531 – a bill we were proud to testify on – and will relieve debt for over 6,000 cases, totaling more than $13 million.
“Marylanders who serve their time deserve a second chance without bearing the financial burden of recurring administrative fees,” proclaimed Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Read more about how this decision to eliminate court-imposed fees reduces barriers to reintegration here.
This major win for Marylanders comes after another win that went into effect just three days prior: the elimination of parole fees and drug-testing fees for people on parole. As of Oct 1, people on parole are no longer charged $50 per month for their supervision, nor do they have to pay the one-time $100 alcohol and drug testing fee. These fees served as major barriers to successful reintegration, racking up significant debts for families of people behind bars and threatening those who were unable to pay them with re-incarceration.
Community organization BUILD, based in Baltimore, Maryland, led the state’s campaign against parole fees with support from Fines and Fees Justice Center and other allied organizations dedicated to the elimination of justice fees. As community advocate Alicia Shaw of BUILD noted, “many of us come home with responsibilities outside of ourselves, and to constantly have to worry about paying a parole fee when you canʼt even feed yourself is insane. The change will lift the weight off of a lot of our shoulders, and allow us to focus on things that will make us productive members of our communities.”
To learn more about what types of fee elimination reforms are progressing across the nation, visit endjusticefees.org/reforms
