The Maryland Juvenile Lifer Parole Representation Project (MJLPRP) recently received the Herbert S. Garten Special Project Award as part of the Maryland Pro Bono Service Awards.

MJLPRP is a working group including the Innocence Project Clinic & Clemency Project of Columbus School of Law; Families Against Mandatory Minimums; the University of Baltimore Law School Juvenile Justice Project; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; the Maryland Office of the Public Defender; the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland; the Maryland Restorative Justice Initiative; and the American University Washington College of Law Criminal Justice Clinic.

The existing parole process presents obstacles that prevent even model juvenile lifers from being considered for release. Legal representation in this process is critical, but the vast majority of these inmates did not have representation. Since coming together in May 2017, the group has recruited 50 pro bono attorneys, and provided training and support. Project attorneys are currently representing 28 clients, including 3 represented by the Innocence Project Clinic & Clemency Project of the law school.