New Maryland Justice Partnership Builds on Foundation of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative

 Maryland is moving into action this year by building on the significant efforts of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC), a historic partnership between the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Office of the Attorney General, and numerous partners throughout the state. MEJC led a foundational planning effort to shape a comprehensive plan to address mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the depth of system injustice in Maryland, releasing an inaugural report with18 recommendations for reform.

 

CCJR was proud to serve on MEJC’s executive committee, including Executive Director Heather Warnken’s service as co-chair of the Law Enforcement Policies and Practices Work Group, contributions to numerous additional working groups, and recently, moderating a panel bringing together the perspectives of directly impacted leaders with governmental officials at MEJC’s Prison, Jail, and Detention Work Group Forum in August 2025.

Building on this foundation, OPD has launched the Maryland Justice Partnership (MJP), a new initiative designed to carry MEJC’s progress forward and turn these findings and recommendations into much–needed change. CCJR remains a committed partner to this critical work, and looks forward to the January 12, 2026 statewide meeting to officially launch the MJP. This is an event open to state agencies, advocacy groups, service providers, researchers, impacted persons, and all stakeholders committed to sustainable criminal justice reform. For more information, contact Kirsten Downs atKirsten.Downs@Maryland.gov.