Baltimore’s SideStep program, designed to divert first-time juvenile offenders away from the criminal justice system, is at the center of a transparency and effectiveness dispute. The pilot initiative, which ran through 2024, was based in West Baltimore and provided alternatives to the justice system for more than 50 youths charged with minor offenses.
The Office of Inspector General from Baltimore City released findings indicating an initial six-month recidivism rate of 14%, which escalated to over 40% with a more extended follow-up. Adding to the concerns, law enforcement officers reported that many of the youths initially referred to SideStep later became involved in more serious offenses, according to an investigation detailed by CBS Baltimore. Moreover, challenges such as staffing issues and limited points of contact for police referrals to the program were noted in the report.
On the financial side, the Inspector General’s investigation found that Baltimore City inadvertently failed to bill over $350,000 for salaries and other program expenses to the state. This oversight, as noted by Cumming, represents a significant sum within the context of the city’s budget. Despite the city allocating nearly $25,000 for evaluating SideStep, full access to data and participants was not provided, complicating efforts to fully assess the program’s impact…