Maryland Judges Frustrated by Alternative-Sentencing Waiting List
November 28, 2005 Maryland Judges Frustrated by Alternative-Sentencing Waiting List The alternative sentencing program frustrates judges in Baltimore, Maryland because the waiting list is currently at 140 offenders and it can take 18 months for a treatment slot to open, according to Charlotte Cooksey, Baltimore County District Justice in October 2005. The alternative-sentencing program is intended to keep nonviolent offenders out of prison and rehabilitate them in substance abuse programs. According to the judges, many offenders complete their jail term before a slot in treatment is available. Judges say they are not able to give the offenders a . . .
