This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

completed
Helping Ourselves to Transform

In-custody deaths in the state of Maryland

Will help identify preventive medical care & accountability to deaths in jails.

Posted August 5, 2024

Background & Context

This project aims to analyze the incidence and causes of deaths among individuals in custody, focusing particularly on those who fail to receive necessary medical or mental health care. Our focus is also on the number of over doses that resulted in medical attention in time or in custody deaths. It will examine fatalities resulting from interactions with other inmates as well as those involving guards, providing insight into the systemic issues within custodial environments

Immediate Problem

Once we get the updated data we want to start working on the in-custody deaths in the whole state of Maryland report.

Work & Deliverables

Advice with denial of MPIA request in the research process of collecting data from each jail, prison and detention centers. Also help with writing a conducive report after we have collected the data. Help with the right language for legislation for next session in Maryland for Jan. 2025 on in custody deaths.

Project Plan

Preparation Phase

  • Zoom meeting w/Helping Ourselves to Transform and Professor Keel from UCLA
  • sign volunteer agreement

Collaboration Phase

  • Review all accepted MPIA
  • Review MPIA denials on incustody deaths in Maryland
  • Contact the Jails that denied the request
  • Once all data is collected review our draft report
  • draft short legislation if needed for next session in Maryland

Wrap Up

  • review final report
  • review short legislation or policy change in Maryland jails

This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 11-20 hours
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Additional Training Details: No training - everything will be explained and easy followed. We are working on the research and collecting the data now.
  • Site-Preference: Remote
  • Open to Law Students: Yes
  • Bar License(s) required: Any Bar License
  • Required Languages: None
  • Required Legal Expertise: None
  • Preferred Legal Expertise: Civil Rights, Disability Rights, Human Rights, Political Law
  • Signup Deadline: April 10, 2025
  • Deliverables Due: April 10, 2025
  • Mentoring Provided: Yes
  • Supervision Provided: Yes
Helping Ourselves to Transform

We are a 501c(3) women of color-led nonprofit organization. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities that are socially impacted through education, advocacy, and sustainable solutions. We promote civic engagement and strengthen democracy by empowering individuals to actively participate in their communities and advocate for positive change. We work tirelessly to foster informed, inclusive, and equitable civic participation that amplifies the voices of all citizens, leading to a more just and prosperous society for everyone. We are committed to fostering positive change, addressing pressing social challenges, and creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.

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