Justice for Children Who Are Incarcerated

The ACLU of Maryland works to ensure that the justice system does not penalize children on the basis of gender, race, economic status or disability. Children are too often deprived of their liberty not because they pose a threat to public safety, but because they demonstrate a high level of need. The justice system for children must not expose them to abusive conditions of confinement, subject them to intrusive surveillance, or criminalize normal adolescent behavior. We seek to ensure that justice system responses to children are fair, equitable and rehabilitative.

Children drawing at Waxter Children Center

The Latest

Resource
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ACLU of Maryland's Advocacy in the 2025 General Assembly

Resource
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El activismo de la ACLU de Maryland en la Asamblea General de 2025

Press Release
Second Look Victory Post

Maryland Enacts Second Look Act, Offering a Path to Reconsider Long Prison Sentences

Maryland officially enacted the Second Look Act (HB 853), an important step to giving incarcerated individuals sentenced as emerging adults a meaningful opportunity to seek sentence modification after demonstrating their rehabilitation and transformation.
Press Release
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Advocates Celebrate Passage of Second Look Act, Urge Continued Push for Justice

After years of tireless advocacy by families, formerly incarcerated people, and community leaders, the Maryland General Assembly has passed the Second Look Act (HB 853), providing a long-overdue pathway for sentence reconsideration grounded in rehabilitation, not retribution.
Legislation
Jun 05, 2018

HB 1607 Education - Juvenile Services Education Programs - Management and Operation

Status: Won: new law
Position: Support
Legislation
Jun 04, 2018

SB 816 - Criminal Law - Death Penalty - Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders

Status: Won: bill did not pass
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Jun 04, 2018

HB 902 / SB 1028 - Health Occupations - Conversion Therapy for Minors - Prohibition (Youth Mental Health Protection Act)

Status: Won: new law
Position: Support
Legislation
Jun 04, 2018

HB 1375 - Driver Education Curriculum - Rights of Drivers Involved in Traffic Stops

Status: Lost: bill did not pass
Position: Support