Six weeks after federal indictments of 13 Baltimore jail guards exposed a widespread web of corruption legislative leaders are expected to appoint tomorrow a special committee to investigate possible prison reforms. The announcement of a prison probe panel comes after at least two false starts when House and Senate committees announced their own individual hearings, then canceled them.
An effort now closely coordinated by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Mike Miller avoids the chaos of crisscrossing probes. But Senate Republican Leader E.J. Pipkin said it also raises questions about how closely state officials will be grilled. “This is a long term marathon,” he said. “We’re at the early part of running through this process – each day brings another surprise… I’m not sure which way it’s gonna go.”
Pipkin is on a legislative panel that is to be briefed on the problems Thursday afternoon.