Maryland

Gestures are easy, reform is hard.

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

Going back to the 1980s and the escalation of the war on drugs, how many times did we sit in a city or county courtroom as prosecutors called the names of defendants accused of having marijuana in their pockets?

And how many times did we wonder why the state – through local police and prosecutors – bothered to bring these cases to Maryland District Court? They were victimless crimes. Most of the defendants, having been arrested and sent to a detention center, pleaded guilty. In my observations, most of the Baltimore judges gave lenient sentences.

It seemed like a waste of time and expense, having little to do with public safety.

And, of course, the defendants came out of the courtrooms with criminal records – or yet another misdemeanor added to the records they already had. And what was the consequence?

Forever and a day, criminal convictions of any kind barred people from getting decent jobs and renting decent apartments. The problem persisted for years after prison, too. Business owners refused to hire people with criminal records, leaving many of them exasperated and frustrated in their efforts to go straight after prison.

Once upon a time, even a marijuana misdemeanor could be an obstacle to employment, though to what extent in Maryland in more recent years, I am not sure. I’ll tell you why.

I had an intensive period of contact with hundreds of adults with criminal records for about five years, starting in June 2005. The war on drugs was still a thing, though law enforcement’s main focus was on heroin and cocaine, not so much marijuana.

I reported frequently on the futile struggles of ex-offenders, mostly from the Baltimore area, in trying to find jobs after prison. The problem was related to what at the time was a high recidivism rate in Maryland – that is, the percentage of inmates who returned to the Division of Corrections within three years of their release from prison. It ranged at one point from 50% to 60%.

As you might imagine, the men who had the most trouble had the worst records – attempted murder, assault, armed robbery, theft and distribution of heroin and cocaine.

Getting arrested with weed caused problems for people trying to find work and housing. But, at least among the many ex-offenders I communicated with over the last two decades, not as much. They had more serious criminal records that scared off prospective employers and landlords.

Considering how attitudes and policies have changed in the years since then – fewer arrests for marijuana possession, the legalization of it for medical and now recreational use – I can’t imagine that a history with cannabis hurts job hunters as much these days.

I note this in light of the Gov. Wes Moore’s grand move – his pardons for thousands of Marylanders who were convicted of a marijuana possession misdemeanor. It’s good that the governor is clearing the books, and no doubt some will benefit directly from his action. And while it looks made for national headlines, Moore’s executive order erases some of the damages from the war on drugs and symbolizes the progressive thinking that has come, slowly and finally, to criminal justice, at least in this blue state.

Partly as a result of actions by the General Assembly, prison populations have fallen along with the recidivism rate.

“Since the 2018 implementation of the Justice Reinvestment Act, the lessening of penalties for some theft and drug possession offenses diverted inmates away from state incarceration,” says a report from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “From fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2022, the percentage of inmates serving sentences for these crimes within DOC custody dropped by 75% (theft) and 75% (drug offenses) respectively.”

The result of that, for the public, is a focus on inmates who committed more serious, often violent crimes.

While some of those inmates will be in prison for decades, if not life, the majority will be released at some point, and most, at least at first, will return to the communities where they started.

So, even with the progress that has been made, there’s a lot more work to be done, here and everywhere, if we want better results from the billions we pay for police, prosecutors and prisons.

The nation’s incarcerated population stands at 1.2 million, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In Maryland, we have about 15,000 inmates in prison and, at any given time, another 12,000 state residents in local jails, according to the non-profit Prison Policy Initiative.

To make reform complete, the governor should push for an overhaul of our correctional system and a restart with a fully holistic focus – that is, ensuring that inmates leave prison in better shape than when they arrived.

All prisons should be restructured to be intensely therapeutic. Hire more social workers, psychologists, life coaches and vocational specialists to change lives behind the walls.

Gestures are easy, reform is hard.

Reform means changing the way we do things, putting corrections in corrections. The governor can pardon people who got caught with marijuana; he can also turn our prisons into places that, while satisfying the demand for punishment, provide a solid second chance for men and women who got off to a bad start in life.

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Maryland

Maryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 18, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Maryland Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 18, 2026

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 18, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing

24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 9-4-0

Evening: 9-3-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 8-3-0-6

Evening: 7-2-1-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 18 drawing

Midday: 5-3-8-8-7

Evening: 6-7-3-8-9

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 18 drawing

9 a.m.: 03

1 p.m.: 14

6 p.m.: 10

11 p.m.: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from April 18 drawing

06-20-33-34-36, Bonus: 11

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 18 drawing

02-38-45-53-63, Powerball: 21

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Maryland

Forward Maban Jabriel Becomes Maryland’s Fourth Transfer In

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Forward Maban Jabriel Becomes Maryland’s Fourth Transfer In

Buzz Williams has brought the number of new players joining the Maryland Terrapins next season to eight.

The Terps have the nation’s No. 8 freshmen recruiting class, consisting of four players including five-star small forward Baba Oladotun. Now, they have just as many transfer portal additions.

Their latest acquisition is forward Maban Jabriel, who previously spent two years with Queens University of Charlotte, a member of the ASUN.

Jabriel announced his commitment to Maryland on his Instagram account:

During his sophomore campaign with the Royals, Jabriel played in all 35 games, mainly off the bench, and averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 19.8 minutes.

Shooting is Jabriel’s greatest strength. At 6’9″, he has the size to win battles close to the basket, but the Waterloo, Ontario native can score from all over the court.

Jabriel shot 49.5% from the field, 43.2% from deep, and 77.4% at the free throw line last season. The Terps can certainly use the help after being the worst shooting team (40.7% overall) not just in the Big Ten, but across all the Power conferences.

The rest of Maryland’s transfer class looks like this:

Tomislav Buljan – power forward who averaged 13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists for New Mexico last season.

Robert Jennings II – power forward who averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.3 assists for Oklahoma State in 2024-25 (injured most of last season).

Bishop Boswell – combo guard who averaged 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for Tennessee last season.

Put together, the Terps currently have the No. 4 incoming crop of players, according to 247 Sports. That figure was as high as No. 1 this offseason and could rise back up with additional moves.

Maryland is confirmed to be keeping at least three players from last season: Rakease Passmore, who redshirted due to injury, along with Andre Mills and George Turkson Jr.

Pharrel Payne also wishes to return but is waiting for his medical hardship waiver to be approved by the NCAA.

That leaves Buzz with three scholarship spots to fill – either with more transfers or the undecided members of last year’s team, Myles Rice and Guillermo Del Pino.

Players only have until this Tuesday, April 21 to enter the portal, so a decision for both Rice and Del Pino will be made soon.

Maryland On SI will continue to cover the Terps’ transfer portal transactions as they occur.

Stay up to date with the Terrapins by bookmarking Maryland On SI and follow us on Twitter.

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Maryland

Maryland Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for April 17, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 17, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 17 drawing

38-43-44-49-62, Mega Ball: 08

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 17 drawing

Midday: 2-2-6

Evening: 5-7-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 17 drawing

Midday: 6-8-3-7

Evening: 4-4-9-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 17 drawing

Midday: 0-3-7-6-8

Evening: 1-5-3-9-6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 17 drawing

9 a.m.: 04

1 p.m.: 07

6 p.m.: 07

11 p.m.: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from April 17 drawing

08-15-17-26-28, Bonus: 19

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Claiming by Mail

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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