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 Sharing Our Stake in Maryland's Public Safety | November 2011 |
The Public Safety Stakeholder
 An E-publication of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for our Criminal Justice and Community Partners |
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Did You See Us
In The News?
Recent sightings of our public safety efforts in your local media are updated daily on the DPSCS homepage
Recent headlines:
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There are more ways than ever to find up-to-date information about DPSCS initiatives, happenings and news. Like us on  , follow us on  and view videos and photos on  and  . |
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DPSCS Reorganization
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is currently undergoing a reorganization that will focus on successful offender reentry and lower recidivism. Seamless integration of DPSCS divisions breaks down vertically siloed custody and supervision operations. Operational and public safety efficiencies result.
Regional Integration: A regionally-based DPSCS across three areas of the state - North, Central and South
Finding Efficiencies: Better-served offenders flow through DPSCS system efficiently, utilizing fewer resources
Improving Reentry: Leveraging a new Offender Case Management System, DPSCS operational shift improves offender rehabilitation process
Visit the DPSCS Reorg Website for more information. |
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DPSCS' mission is to protect the public, our employees and those under our supervision.
Governor Martin O'Malley Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown
DPSCS Secretary Gary D. Maynard |
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Hundreds of turkeys await processing at the MD Correctional Enterprises Meat Plant before being shipped to Baltimore for the annual Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving meal to feed the homeless |
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Violence Prevention Initiative in Baltimore County Wins International Award
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetez brought together various partners in the fight against violent crime this month to announce the receipt of the prestigious Webber Seavey Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The award recognized the Baltimore County Police Department's use of the Violence Prevention Initiative to reduce crime through information sharing primarily with the State Division of Parole and Probation. Continued here |
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MD Highlights Victim Services in Compensation for Professionals Nationwide
This fall the Maryland Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB), which uses offender court fees, restitution and state/federal funds to compensate victims of crime for physical and psychological losses, presented on the importance of Incorporating Victim Services into a Compensation Program for the 2011 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) National Training Conference. The presentation used Maryland's Board as a national example of ways in which compensation programs can effectively deliver victim services.
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Thanksgiving Turkeys Prepared by Maryland Correctional Enterprises
For more than 20 years Maryland Correctional Enterprises has been lending a helping hand to the Bea Gaddy Foundation to prepare turkeys for an annual dinner in Baltimore that feeds thousands of homeless and less  fortunate. This year was no different.
More than 400 turkeys arrived at the MCE Meat Plant in Hagerstown on Friday November 4th, and processing began the following week. The turkeys were then delivered by MCE in time for the Thanksgiving meal.
"It's a privilege for us to give back to others," inmate Calvin McNeill said during an interview with WHAG TV, who covered both the arrival and processing. |
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Violence Prevention Initiative in Baltimore County Wins National Award continued
The Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), implemented in 2007 under the O'Malley Administration, focuses on aggressive monitoring and supervision of high-risk offenders on parole or probation. Parole and probation agents and police detectives share intelligence so they can monitor potentially dangerous people, hold them accountable and, if necessary, get them off the streets. DPP agents are embedded in three Maryland police departments: Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Prince  George's County.
Before VPI, this kind of information sharing did not always occur.
"The Violence Prevention Initiative, with its built-in intelligence gathering and sharing, has made Division of Parole and Probation an effective and proactive partner to local law enforcement," Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services' Secretary Gary D. Maynard said. "Through this unprecedented cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we have gotten over 4,900 violent offenders revoked off of our streets. In 2010, these efforts helped us assist local law enforcement to reduce the state's homicide rate to its lowest since 1975."
In Baltimore County alone, in 2010 and 2011, Police served 305 warrants and made 150 arrests through VPI.
VPI offenders meet face-to-face with agents each week, in addition to phone meetings and frequent check-ins with Probation and Parole's electronic kiosk system.
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MD Highlights Victim Services in Compensation for Professionals Nationwide continued
Approximately 40 participants from various states listened as Nikki Charles, Administrator of Victim Services for CICB, explained Maryland's approach to victim services in compensation.
"Our goal is to fill a gap with regards to service," says Charles. "In a state, such as ours, with huge numbers of simple assaults, the compensation program may be the only time the victim is introduced to the possibility of services. No one agency or organization can provide everything that it takes to assist a victim with recovery, it is a team effort and the compensation program is an important part of that effort."
Charles was asked to make the presentation after the Executive Director of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards heard her present on the importance of victim services in compensation at the National Center for Victims of Crime conference this summer.
Maryland's compensation program differs from many other state's because it is considered to be "victim centered," with a focus on remedying the harm done, within statutory guidelines. They operate under the assumption that the claimant is eligible for compensation, until examination shows otherwise - an approach that other states are looking to emulate. CICB's team of victim service professionals also provide more in depth and comprehensive services, unlike other state boards that may only have one advocate or part time staff.
Participants were also interested in CICB's in-house training program, as well as the amount of outreach done to community partners.
Visit our website to learn more about victim services in all DPSCS agencies.
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