Victim Community Stands Together to Oppose Upcoming Legislation Changes
January 31, 2025
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Time and time again, proposed changes in legislation have threatened to weaken sentencing standards and at the same time revictimize a community that has already paid so much. Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc (MCVRC) has been at the center of ensuring victims’ rights are being upheld in the state of Maryland, and over 42 years after their inception, they are still pushing and rallying to ensure victim voices are heard.
Proposed legislative changes concern MCVRC Director, Kurt Wolfgang. “These changes continue the dangerous and inappropriate trend of releasing people who have committed the worse offenses possible. These people are often still dangerous and the mere fact that they even get a new opportunity to be released causes severe problems for the victims and survivors.”
Proposed legislative changes include:
- SB-291 (formerly proposed as SF-123 in 2024) would allow any defendant who has served 20 years of a sentence—regardless of whether the sentence is life or a significantly longer term—be entitled to a new resentencing hearing every three years. Not only would the judge have no discretion in deciding whether to hold such hearings, these hearings would be in addition to any potential parole hearings — which means victims’ family would attend both the resentencing hearings and any associated parole hearings – reliving experiences and traumas time and time again,
- SB-181 (and its cross-filed counterpart, HB-190) would alter the Parole Commission Criteria for eligibility mandating the consideration of the defendant’s age and likelihood of recidivism. This bill would permit the release of inmates with debilitating or incapacitating medical or mental conditions that render them physically incapable of posing a danger to society. Furthermore, the bill mandates parole hearings for inmates aged 60+ who have served at least 15 years, provided they are mot sex offenders, and
- HB-311 proposes granting medical parole for inmates, like SB-181, but also eliminates the Governor’s authority to disapprove decisions made by the Parole Commission under these medical circumstances.
MCVRC put out a call to action to the victim community and victims and survivors responded. Gathering at Prince George’s FOP Lodge 89 in Upper Marlboro, passion filled the air within this group that doesn’t want any new members. This group has found a sense of belonging within a community – relating to other survivors and representing voices that can no longer speak for themselves.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” continues Wolfgang, “Murderers should not expect to be released from prison when they have forever deprived someone of their time on this earth and deprived the victim’s family of their existence. These outrageous acts should never be looked on in a diminished fashion. The insult of this diminishment is especially hurtful because it diminishes the value of a life lost and systemically revictimizes survivors.”
During the press conference, six victims shared stories of their loved ones who are no longer with us. St. Mary’s State Attorney Jaymi Sterling also spoke out stating, “I think we can all agree in this room this law is a terrible law. It is a fraud law, it is a fraud on the American Criminal Justice System. It’s sad to say that we call it the “criminal justice system” because it looks like everywhere we turn, it’s justice for the criminals. Where is justice for the victims?”
The hearing for SB-291 is scheduled for today, January 30th, at 1:00 PM. More than 18 victims had planned to share their victim impact statements, yet only two were selected to speak, each granted a mere two minutes. This is not only unfair—it’s a blatant disregard for the voices of those most affected by these proposed changes. Survivors and victims’ families deserve the opportunity to be heard in a meaningful way, yet they continue to be silenced and minimized in the legislative process. The system is supposed to serve justice for all, but by limiting victim participation and undermining their rights, the laws being considered are failing to protect those who need it most.
MCVRC stands firm in its commitment to fighting for victims and ensuring that their voices remain central to any discussion of criminal justice reform. As MCVRC continues its advocacy for victims’ rights, it remains committed to ensuring that these voices are never ignored. The fight for justice is not just about holding offenders accountable, but also about upholding the dignity and rights of those who have been victimized. MCVRC will continue to push back against these harmful changes and work toward a criminal justice system that respects and protects victims every step of the way.
About Maryland Crime Victims’ Rights Center, Inc.
Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center Inc. ensures that victims of crime receive justice and are treated with dignity and compassion through comprehensive victims’ rights and services. MCVRC is a grassroots non-profit organization that became a statewide organization dedicated to serving the interest of crime victims throughout Maryland. MCVRC is the longest running and largest legal clinic serving victims of all crimes in this country. MCVRC attorneys have argued in State, Federal and the Supreme Court on Victim Right’s issues which have resulted in major legal victories.
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CONTACT:
Casey Rosil
Communications Media Specialist
240-335-4037
crosil@mdcrimevictims.org