Criminal Justice

The Justice Policy Institute, a Washington-based organization that supports lowering the nation's incarceration rate, says five states have reduced youth confinement by more than 50 percent over the last decade. What practices did they implement to achieve these results, and what's being done in Maryland? Our guests: Spike Bradford, senior research analyst for the Justice Policy Institute; and Scott Beal, executive director of community services for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

March 18, 2013

Last week, the commissioner  demanded a full review of how city police officers use their weapons following the accidental shooting of a Baltimore Police Academy trainee. Batts joins Midday to discuss that matter and other challenges he's discovered since taking over for Frederick Bealefeld last fall.

February 6, 2012

January 29, 2013

The state plans to build a new 120-bed jail to house juvenile offenders charged as adults in Baltimore; that's scaled down from an original 180-bed plan. Advocates would like to see it scaled down to zero. We'll look into whether there's a path in Annapolis to stopping construction and devoting resources to programs like rec centers and school construction.

In the wake of the Connecticut elementary school massacre, once again the cry goes up: "We need to talk about mental health!" But...how do we talk about it?

On Thursday, December 13th, a crowd gathered at the MICA Brown Center to watch The House I Live In, a documentary exploring how U.S.

Baltimore native Michael Austin spent nearly 27 years in prison for an armed robbery and murder he did not commit. While in Maryland's old House of Correction, Austin turned to music as a way of coping with life in "The Cut" while he sought legal help from outside. He wrote songs and refined his singing voice. Austin, pardoned in 2001, talks about the redeeming value of music, and we'll hear songs from his new CD, "I Just Want To Love You." Original air date 09/06/12

The fire department of Baltimore City has over 1800 members, who serve a geographic area encompassing 81 square miles.  James Clack leads them all.  He’s just been appointed to a new term as fire chief, which means he'll remain in the position until at least 2018.