On November 1, 2023, the District Court in Baltimore City marked the graduation of 17 individuals from the District Court Re-Entry Project (DCREP). The program, initiated by Judge Nicole Pastore in 2016, aims to reduce criminal recidivism by providing defendants with opportunities for job training and placement as part of their probation conditions or as an alternative to incarceration.
Chief Judge John P. Morrissey expressed pride in the graduates and praised Judge Pastore's leadership. "The Re-Entry Project is not just about punishment," he stated. "It takes a holistic approach, and it helps to offer people an opportunity to change their lives for the better with the appropriate accountability, resources, support, and a job."
The DCREP involves collaboration with 17 organizations that prepare ex-offenders for employment. Successful participants may receive incentives such as changes to their probation status or even early termination of probation. The program has also expanded to include pretrial services.
Retired NFL player Torrey Smith served as the keynote speaker at the event. Drawing from personal experiences involving his family members' legal challenges, Smith encouraged graduates to remain hopeful and pursue their goals despite past difficulties. "I have been where the graduates have been in some ways," said Smith. "They must not let their past dictate their future because this is a fresh start."
Participants in DCREP have gained certifications across various fields including healthcare, hospitality, home improvement, culinary arts, cybersecurity, education, solar panel installation, lead paint removal, apartment maintenance, and electrical apprenticeships.