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Derrell Frazier (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) writes: “Many young people in Maryland who have been involved with the justice system struggle to find good jobs or steady opportunities after their release. The systems meant to help them succeed—schools, training programs, and job centers—often are not connected with each other or designed to meet their real needs.
“While Maryland has created programs such as EARN Maryland, Grads2Careers, and various apprenticeship opportunities to support youth, too many system-involved youth still face significant barriers, including limited job access, stigma associated with having a record, and a lack of mentors or sustained support.
“In Maryland, 70% of collateral consequences—the ongoing and compounding penalties that affect justice-involved individuals long after that involvement has ended—for convictions are employment-related, with 33% being mandatory prohibitions that bar employment, retention, or licensing without exception, and 67% lasting indefinitely. …
If Maryland wants safer communities and a stronger economy, it must make sure that every young person has a real second chance
“During the summer of 2025, I conducted focus groups and interviews with 35 young adults, ages 18 to 27, about their experiences navigating Maryland’s workforce after involvement with the criminal justice system. The goal was to identify what’s working, what’s missing, and how to create more equitable opportunities that help young people, regardless of their background, reach their full potential. Five major themes emerged from these conversations, each of which are explored in this report: Barriers to Employment, Stigma, Mental Health, Making it Easier to Find Help, Support Systems, and Mentorship. With directly impacted youth as our guides, we will derive some key policy design lessons from each of the five themes.
“If Maryland wants safer communities and a stronger economy, it must make sure that every young person has a real second chance to learn, earn, and thrive.”
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