Baltimore City District Court recently held a ceremony to honor 40 graduates of its District Court Re-Entry Program (DCREP). This marks the fifth class to complete the program, which aims to reduce criminal recidivism by offering participants job training and placement opportunities. The ceremony was presided over by Baltimore City District Judge Nicole Pastore Klein, with Chief Judge John P. Morrissey and Administrative Judge Barbara Baer Waxman in attendance. Former NFL player Greg Harrell served as the keynote speaker.
Chief Judge Morrissey commended the program's impact: "In just two years, Judge Pastore Klein has taken an idea and brought it to fruition by creating a program that helps individuals improve their lives through access to existing local resources, from counseling, to job readiness training, to full-time employment.”
The DCREP was founded by Judge Pastore Klein in September 2016. It provides defendants with an opportunity for rehabilitation through structured programs instead of incarceration or as part of probation conditions. More than 95 participants have successfully completed the program since its inception.
Judge Waxman highlighted the program's effectiveness: “The Re-Entry Project is an innovative and effective strategy to reduce recidivism and help defendants get the skills and services needed to ensure their success.”
Participants are referred by judges to one of 17 organizations that prepare ex-offenders for employment. Successful completion can lead to various incentives, such as unsupervised probation or waived fees. The program has expanded to include pretrial services, offering skill acquisition and employment opportunities before trial.
Judge Pastore Klein emphasized the transformative potential: “The Re-Entry Project helps criminal defendants change the course of their lives and gives people a fresh start. This is a viable alternative to incarceration when the defendant is willing to follow the plan and put in the work.”
Program participants have gained certifications in fields like solar panel installation and food service. The initiative boasts a low recidivism rate, with only five out of 95 participants re-offending.