Ch. 563

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS SUBSECTION
REGARDING THE FOLLOWING ISSUES:

(I) WHETHER DESCRIPTIVE SENTENCING GUIDELINES SHOULD BE
RETAINED BY THE STATE AS A SENTENCING STRUCTURE EITHER IN THEIR
CURRENT FORM OR IN A MODIFIED FORM;

(II) WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD ADOPT GUIDED DISCRETION
SENTENCING GUIDELINES AND, IF SO, WHAT TYPE OF GUIDED DISCRETION
SENTENCING GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ADOPTED;

(III) WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD RETAIN PAROLE AS A
CORRECTIONAL OPTION OR ELIMINATE PAROLE FOR ALL INMATES OR ANY
PARTICULAR CATEGORY OF INMATES;

(IV) WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD INCREASE THE MINIMUM
PORTION OF A SENTENCE THAT MUST BE SERVED BY ALL INMATES OR ANY
PARTICULAR CATEGORY OF INMATES BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE;

(V) WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD ELIMINATE GOOD TIME
CREDITS OR OTHERWISE ALTER THE MANNER IN WHICH AN INMATE MAY OBTAIN
RELEASE ON MANDATORY SUPERVISION;

(VI) WHETHER THE STATE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE
THAT THERE IS A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF CORRECTIONAL OPTIONS PROGRAMS
AT THE STATE AND COUNTY LEVELS AND, IF SO, WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN;
AND

(VII) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO STATE AND LOCAL LAWS
AND POLICIES GOVERNING SENTENCING, PAROLE, MANDATORY SUPERVISION, AND
CORRECTIONAL OPTIONS PROGRAMS.

(2) THE GOALS OF THE SENTENCING AND CORRECTIONAL PROCESS

ARE:

(I) JUST AND APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDERS;

(II) PROTECTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREVENTION OF CRIME
THROUGH:

CONDUCT;

1. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC DETERRENCE OF CRIMINAL

2. INCAPACITATION OF OFFENDERS; AND

3. REMEDIATION OF OFFENDERS;

(III) RESTORATION OF CRIME VICTIMS AND THE COMMUNITY; AND

(IV) PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW.

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