Ben Conarck
@conarck.bsky.social
reporting on prisons, jails and police for The Baltimore Banner • tips to bconarck @thebaltimorebanner.com
New: After pushback from reformers and the CO’s union, Maryland’s controversial plan to build a $1.2 billion “therapeutic” jail in downtown Baltimore appears to have hit a major snag. @govwesmoore.bsky.social has pulled it from his proposed budget.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
No money for budget-busting Baltimore jail in Gov. Moore’s spending plan
The proposed detention facility, which is set to be located in the city’s downtown jail complex, had been slated to receive $125 million.
www.thebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:27 PM
New: After pushback from reformers and the CO’s union, Maryland’s controversial plan to build a $1.2 billion “therapeutic” jail in downtown Baltimore appears to have hit a major snag. @govwesmoore.bsky.social has pulled it from his proposed budget.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
One project that's NOT funded in Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's budget is a proposed "therapeutic" jail for Baltimore that's been kicking around since Gov. Larry Hogan's time. The cost keeps increasing, and the project is being put on pause.
by @conarck.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
by @conarck.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
No money for budget-busting Baltimore jail in Gov. Moore’s spending plan
The proposed detention facility, which is set to be located in the city’s downtown jail complex, had been slated to receive $125 million.
www.thebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:53 PM
One project that's NOT funded in Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's budget is a proposed "therapeutic" jail for Baltimore that's been kicking around since Gov. Larry Hogan's time. The cost keeps increasing, and the project is being put on pause.
by @conarck.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
by @conarck.bsky.social:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
A Montgomery County councilmember watched a teenage boy detained by ICE. Wearing pajamas in the cold, the boy showed ICE agents proof of his citizenship, to no avail, she said. County officials want to prevent this, so they're proposing more restrictions on ICE: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Montgomery County leaders try to strengthen their hand against ICE
Montgomery County Council members introduced two bills Tuesday to curb how ICE conducts detentions and deportations within the county’s borders.
www.thebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM
A Montgomery County councilmember watched a teenage boy detained by ICE. Wearing pajamas in the cold, the boy showed ICE agents proof of his citizenship, to no avail, she said. County officials want to prevent this, so they're proposing more restrictions on ICE: www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
NEW: Two years after a @thebaltimorebanner.com investigation into an abnormally high suicide rate and questionable practices at the Harford County Detention Center, Maryland chapters of the ACLU/NAACP are suing the sheriff, citing extensively from our reporting: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Harford County sheriff showed ‘deliberate indifference’ to jail suicides, lawsuit says
A coalition of civil rights groups is suing the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, claiming that the agency failed to properly assess jail detainees’ suicide risk and aggravated their mental health cond...
www.thebanner.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:52 PM
NEW: Two years after a @thebaltimorebanner.com investigation into an abnormally high suicide rate and questionable practices at the Harford County Detention Center, Maryland chapters of the ACLU/NAACP are suing the sheriff, citing extensively from our reporting: www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
NEW: Trump’s DHS forces have shot 11 people since September. NBC News examined every case, revealing a pattern that policing experts called alarming: officers firing into cars, injuring and killing drivers.
Trump's DHS has shot 11 people during immigration enforcement operations since September
The ICE and Border Patrol shootings show a pattern that policing experts say is alarming: officers firing into cars and injuring and killing drivers.
www.nbcnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:30 PM
NEW: Trump’s DHS forces have shot 11 people since September. NBC News examined every case, revealing a pattern that policing experts called alarming: officers firing into cars, injuring and killing drivers.
Reposted by Ben Conarck
NEW: Chuck Jenkins, arguably Maryland's most powerful sheriff, said today he wants to keep working with ICE — regardless of national protests and even if Maryland lawmakers outlaw cooperation agreements (called 287g program) in the state. More in @thebaltimorebanner.com:
Maryland sheriff wants to keep working with ICE, even if state lawmakers ban it
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins plans to keep working with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even in light of the killing of an American citizen by an ICE agent.
www.thebanner.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:26 PM
NEW: Chuck Jenkins, arguably Maryland's most powerful sheriff, said today he wants to keep working with ICE — regardless of national protests and even if Maryland lawmakers outlaw cooperation agreements (called 287g program) in the state. More in @thebaltimorebanner.com:
Prisoner homicides hit a modern record high last year with 13. There's already been one so far in 2026, at the state's deadliest prison, a "hypermax" facility in Cumberland.
by @invisibae.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
by @invisibae.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Another man killed at Maryland’s deadliest prison
Maryland State Police have launched an investigation following a reported killing at North Branch Correctional Institution in Allegany County.
www.thebanner.com
January 11, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Prisoner homicides hit a modern record high last year with 13. There's already been one so far in 2026, at the state's deadliest prison, a "hypermax" facility in Cumberland.
by @invisibae.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
by @invisibae.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Plans for a historically expensive jail in Baltimore just got even more costly: $1.2 billion, @conarck.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Price hike for Baltimore jail plans: Now estimated at $1.2 billion
As Maryland’s budget outlook worsens, state officials are hedging on the controversial Baltimore jail project.
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Plans for a historically expensive jail in Baltimore just got even more costly: $1.2 billion, @conarck.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Plans for a historically expensive jail in downtown Baltimore have gotten costlier, with the price tag up to $1.2B. Meanwhile, a state budget crunch has made the project's future less certain. Justice reform advocates/CO's union sense an opportunity to derail it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore’s new $1 billion jail will be most expensive state-funded project in history
The proposed 854-bed facility will be a hybrid jail, hospital and mental health and substance use treatment facility for people facing criminal charges.
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Plans for a historically expensive jail in downtown Baltimore have gotten costlier, with the price tag up to $1.2B. Meanwhile, a state budget crunch has made the project's future less certain. Justice reform advocates/CO's union sense an opportunity to derail it. www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Plans for a historically expensive jail in Baltimore just got even more costly: $1.2 billion
Price hike for Baltimore jail plans: Now estimated at $1.2 billion
As Maryland’s budget outlook worsens, state officials are hedging on the controversial Baltimore jail project.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Plans for a historically expensive jail in Baltimore just got even more costly: $1.2 billion
I like how the vet puts the "May cause drowsiness" sticker on my dog's gabapentin like he might forget and take the car out for cigarettes or something
January 9, 2026 at 1:24 AM
I like how the vet puts the "May cause drowsiness" sticker on my dog's gabapentin like he might forget and take the car out for cigarettes or something
New: Anne Arundel County police are publicly disputing ICE's account of a Christmas Eve shooting, in which federal officials claimed (as they have in Minneapolis) that the driver they were stopping tried to run them over
@alexmann.bsky.social @sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
@alexmann.bsky.social @sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Anne Arundel County Police dispute ICE’s account of Glen Burnie shooting
A deadly shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday renewed scrutiny of a violent Christmas Eve incident involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, with Anne Arundel County ...
www.thebanner.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:23 PM
New: Anne Arundel County police are publicly disputing ICE's account of a Christmas Eve shooting, in which federal officials claimed (as they have in Minneapolis) that the driver they were stopping tried to run them over
@alexmann.bsky.social @sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
@alexmann.bsky.social @sararuberg.bsky.social
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Breaking: Maryland's corrections department has released a safety report on a since-evacuated jail facility downtown that revealed the building had become so decrepit, human waste was dripping from the ceiling and detainees were able to dig through walls.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Human waste dripped from ceilings, inmates dug through walls at Baltimore jail: report
Report details dire conditions at since-evacuated Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center in downtown Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Breaking: Maryland's corrections department has released a safety report on a since-evacuated jail facility downtown that revealed the building had become so decrepit, human waste was dripping from the ceiling and detainees were able to dig through walls.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Over the past year covering the county, I kept seeing data that marked a concerning trend. Montgomery County is typically considered one of the healthiest in the country, but our mental health is in steep decline. I wanted to figure out what’s happening and why. www.thebanner.com/community/pu...
County data warns of mental health declines amid government disruption
Data, and conversations with those who work in the field, show that residents of Montgomery County are struggling mentally, and that demand for mental health services has increased.
www.thebanner.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Over the past year covering the county, I kept seeing data that marked a concerning trend. Montgomery County is typically considered one of the healthiest in the country, but our mental health is in steep decline. I wanted to figure out what’s happening and why. www.thebanner.com/community/pu...
New: Unannounced inspections of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center last year revealed a persistent rodent infestation, malfunctioning air conditioning, and a paraplegic child housed in the infirmary who was left sitting in his own waste.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Youth detention center plagued by mice, unsanitary conditions, improper medical care: report
Unannounced inspections of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center last year revealed a persistent rodent infestation, malfunctioning air conditioning, and a paraplegic child housed in the infirmar...
www.thebanner.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:54 PM
New: Unannounced inspections of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center last year revealed a persistent rodent infestation, malfunctioning air conditioning, and a paraplegic child housed in the infirmary who was left sitting in his own waste.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Maryland prison killings rise to decade high amid staffing shortage
Maryland prison killings rise to decade high amid staffing shortage
Thirteen incarcerated people have been killed by other prisoners this year, state officials said, marking the highest annual total in at least a decade.
buff.ly
December 29, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Maryland prison killings rise to decade high amid staffing shortage
NEW: Maryland’s prison system is becoming increasingly deadly, with the highest homicide rate in recent history despite a shrinking population of incarcerated people. Experts point to staff shortages and an infusion of contraband drugs. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Maryland prison killings rise to decade high amid staffing shortage
Thirteen incarcerated people have been killed by other prisoners this year, state officials said, marking the highest annual total in at least a decade.
www.thebanner.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
NEW: Maryland’s prison system is becoming increasingly deadly, with the highest homicide rate in recent history despite a shrinking population of incarcerated people. Experts point to staff shortages and an infusion of contraband drugs. Read more:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
December 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Absolutely incredible news in Baltimore, reported out by @conarck.bsky.social, Greg Morton and Sahana Jayaraman in @thebaltimorebanner.com —
Analysis: Baltimore homicides declined furthest, fastest in the country, could reach a 48-year low
Baltimore is on track to end 2025 with its lowest homicide total in 48 years, with fewer than 150 killings expected, marking a significant decline since 2022.
www.thebanner.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Absolutely incredible news in Baltimore, reported out by @conarck.bsky.social, Greg Morton and Sahana Jayaraman in @thebaltimorebanner.com —
An historic drop in gun violence in Baltimore is drawing the nation’s attention. A remarkable success story. What’s behind it?
For @thebaltimorebanner.com
For @thebaltimorebanner.com
NEW:
Baltimore is on track to finish 2025 with its fewest homicides in about 50 years. Before Two-thirds of city residents were even born.
Baltimore homicides have further and faster than anywhere in the nation since 2018.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore is on track to finish 2025 with its fewest homicides in about 50 years. Before Two-thirds of city residents were even born.
Baltimore homicides have further and faster than anywhere in the nation since 2018.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Analysis: Baltimore homicides declined furthest, fastest in the country, could reach a 48-year low
Baltimore is on track to end 2025 with its lowest homicide total in 48 years, with fewer than 150 killings expected, marking a significant decline since 2022.
www.thebanner.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
An historic drop in gun violence in Baltimore is drawing the nation’s attention. A remarkable success story. What’s behind it?
For @thebaltimorebanner.com
For @thebaltimorebanner.com
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Baltimore Police have a ‘pattern’ of using vehicles to injure suspects, lawsuit alleges
Baltimore Police frequently use their vehicles as weapons, lawsuit alleges
Baltimore Police have long used department vehicles to inflict serious injuries on suspects, a recently filed lawsuit alleges.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Baltimore Police have a ‘pattern’ of using vehicles to injure suspects, lawsuit alleges
Baltimore Police have shown a "pattern and practice" of using their vehicles as weapons, according to a complaint filed in federal court recently by a young man who was run over when he was 16 years old and fleeing from officers responding to a reported carjacking.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Baltimore Police frequently use their vehicles as weapons, lawsuit alleges
Baltimore Police have long used department vehicles to inflict serious injuries on suspects, a recently filed lawsuit alleges.
www.thebanner.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Baltimore Police have shown a "pattern and practice" of using their vehicles as weapons, according to a complaint filed in federal court recently by a young man who was run over when he was 16 years old and fleeing from officers responding to a reported carjacking.
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
During an immigration crackdown in Maryland this fall, two out of every three people arrested by ICE agents had no criminal history, a @thebaltimorebanner.com analysis found. ICE pushed back, calling the data "simply wrong" but refusing to say what was inaccurate.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Immigrant arrests in Maryland hit new high. Most have no criminal record.
But contrary to the messaging from the president and his team, most of those arrested this year had no criminal history, according to a Banner analysis of newly released federal data.
www.thebanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
During an immigration crackdown in Maryland this fall, two out of every three people arrested by ICE agents had no criminal history, a @thebaltimorebanner.com analysis found. ICE pushed back, calling the data "simply wrong" but refusing to say what was inaccurate.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Most immigrants arrested in Maryland crackdowns have no criminal record
Immigrant arrests in Maryland hit new high. Most have no criminal record.
But contrary to the messaging from the president and his team, most of those arrested this year had no criminal history, according to a Banner analysis of newly released federal data.
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Most immigrants arrested in Maryland crackdowns have no criminal record
Reposted by Ben Conarck
Former supervisor guilty in cover-up of prisoner beating on Eastern Shore
Former supervisor guilty in cover-up of prisoner beating on Eastern Shore
A former lieutenant at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover has been found guilty for his participation in a cover-up after one of his junior officers physically abused a prisoner.
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Former supervisor guilty in cover-up of prisoner beating on Eastern Shore