An important factor behind the massive Baltimore jail scandal was Marylands 2010 law entrenching dubious prison guards in their jobs, the so-called Correctional Officers Bill of Rights (COBOR) Act. Bad as COBOR was, were still not as far down the path as NYC with its Rikers Island: after a mentally ill inmate was permitted to roast to death, the corrections officer responsible for checking on his condition was given a 20-day suspension. When this produced a gale of criticism, it was extended to 30 days. Because the law is written in no small part for the benefit of those who enforce it, the officer cannot legally be suspended for a longer period. COBOR passed near-unanimously; its key backers included AFSCME, the administration of Gov. Martin OMalley, Del. Galen Clagett (D-Frederick), and then-Sen. Don Munson (R-Hagerstown).
Posted on: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 10:57:36 +0000