Executive Leadership Meets with Baltimore City Delegation to Advocate for Correctional Staff and Facility Improvements

On October 2, Executive Vice President Alston, along with members of the Executive Board, joined representatives from Baltimore City Jails Locals 1427 and 3737 for a critical meeting with members of the Baltimore City Delegation. Delegates Melissa Wells, Elizabeth Embry, Sean Stinnett, and Regina Boyce—who serve on the Maryland General Assembly’s Public Safety Subcommittee—were in attendance to discuss pressing issues facing correctional facilities in the city.

The meeting focused on the conditions at the Baltimore City Booking and Intake Center (BCBIC), where EVP Alston highlighted urgent concerns regarding staffing shortages, deteriorating facility conditions, and ongoing health and safety risks for both staff and detainees.

During the discussion, EVP Alston emphasized the need for wage increases in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget to help recruit and retain qualified correctional officers. He also called for significant capital investments to support a comprehensive assessment of all state pretrial and correctional facilities, with a particular focus on pretrial institutions like BCBIC.

In addition, EVP Alston urged the General Assembly to safeguard funding for the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) program, which plays a vital role in ensuring safe working conditions for correctional staff across the state.

“This is how we tell our story,” EVP Alston stated. “By engaging directly with our elected officials, we can advocate for the resources and reforms our members need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The meeting marked a meaningful step forward in building partnerships with state leaders and advancing the shared goal of a safer, more sustainable correctional system in Maryland.