The January 23, 2025, meeting of the Maryland General Assembly's Environment and Transportation (ENT) Committee focused on critical issues surrounding criminal justice and housing access in the state. The session highlighted the significant number of adults in Maryland with arrest or conviction histories, estimated at approximately 22%, equating to about 1 in 5 adults. This figure is rising, with around 83,000 individuals booked into local jails annually.

The discussion emphasized the challenges faced by those re-entering society after incarceration. In 2019 alone, over 70,000 men and 16,000 women were released from Maryland jails and prisons, underscoring the urgent need for stable housing for this population. Current statistics reveal that more than half of individuals in the criminal justice system are on probation, with others in local jails, state prisons, or federal facilities.

A significant point raised was the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Black residents in Maryland. While Black individuals make up 31% of the state's population, they represent 52% of the jail population and 69% of those in prison. Alarmingly, 1 in 5 Black individuals born in 2000 are likely to be incarcerated in their lifetime, compared to just 1 in 29 for white individuals. This stark contrast highlights systemic inequalities within the criminal justice system.

The committee also addressed tenant screening practices, noting that a 2017 survey indicated that 90% of housing providers utilize criminal history screening in their tenant evaluations. This reliance on criminal records in tenant screening processes raises concerns about the barriers faced by individuals with past convictions when seeking housing.

The meeting concluded with a call for further examination of these issues, particularly the need for policies that promote equitable housing access for individuals with criminal histories. The committee plans to continue discussions on how to address these disparities and improve support for affected populations in Maryland.