African American males age 18-35 in Baltimore, 56% were under criminal justice supervision on any given day. 34,025 of Baltimore’s 60,715 African American males ages 18 – 35 were either in jail or prison, on probation or parole, out on bond awaiting disposition of criminal charges or being sought on arrest warrant.

African American youth accounted for 32% of all juvenile arrests while white youth accounted for 18%. However, when drug arrests were isolated, white youths accounted for only 9% while African American youth made up 91% of all juvenile drug arrests.

Overall, the number of African American drug offenders sentenced to prison increased by 707% between 1985 and 1995.

Most returning prisoners have not completed high school, have limited employment skills and have histories of substance abuse and health problems.

Returning prisoners have served longer sentences than in the past as a result of sentencing reforms of the past two decades, including mandatory minimums and truth-in-sentencing laws.