According to a recent Pew Center on the States study, 43.3 percent of prisoners who were released in 2004 were back behind bars within three years, based on data provided by 41 states. Maryland did not provide data in the form researchers requested and is one of several states not included in the study, but officials have said the state’s 2004 recidivism rate was 48.5 percent.
Prince George’s police started by drilling into their data, identifying the neighborhoods plagued by the most murders, non-fatal shootings, robberies and carjackings, Davis said.
They selected five areas — Langley Park, Riverdale, Suitland, Hillcrest Heights and Glassmanor — to focus on, Davis said. Then they looked at the criminals who lived there.
The number was startling, even to police commanders: 233 people convicted in connection with a murder, non-fatal shooting, robbery or carjacking were out on parole or probation, living in or very near the selected neighborhoods. These would be the people called in.
Either by letter or by phone, the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation told the convicts they had to attend one of three sessions or face possible arrest. Adults and juveniles were separated for slightly different presentations.
Less than half actually showed up — though that was largely because more than 100 adults skipped out on one meeting where a probation agent called the convicts rather than sending them certified letters, police said. Those who did not come might face arrest or other sanctions, depending on their individual situations, said Mark Vernarelli, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
During one call-in at Parkdale High School, authorities asked the 15 criminals for their help in calling to report crime. Prosecutors warned them “we mean business,” vaguely threatening them with federal charges, mandatory minimum sentences and probation violations should they be charged again.
Afterward, some people complained they were unfairly targeted.
“What is this going to help me do?” said a 28-year-old Riverdale man who declined to give his name, but said he was on probation for burglary and assault. “I feel singled out.”
Until Labor Day, police will assign drug detectives, gang detectives and others to work in the five neighborhoods, and prosecutors will monitor arrests there, especially of people violating their parole and probation, authorities said. Police, prosecutors and other county, state and federal agencies will meet weekly to review the results and tweak the strategy, authorities said.
“We see this as a crime fighting tool, but also as a way to reduce recidivism,” Prince George’s State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said. “We prefer not to see them back in the system.”
The presentation seemed to ring true for those at the call-ins. Even though nearly all of them said they already had learned their lesson from getting in trouble, they also said they were sympathetic to police’s summer effort.
“They just want to stop the crimes,” said Alton Carter, 19, on probation for theft and assault from what started as a robbery charge. “They don’t want no trouble in the streets.”
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