Ganesha Martin, who led the Baltimore Police Department’s efforts to shape and enter into the Consent Decree, has been tapped to lead the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
During Martin’s tenure with the police department, OSI-Baltimore worked closely with her to launch a pilot of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, support and advise implementation of the consent decree, and on other efforts.
“Ganesha Martin has proven herself to be a smart, passionate advocate for community safety and criminal justice reform in Baltimore,” says Tara Huffman, director of OSI-Baltimore’s Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program. “While with the BPD, she was the driving force behind efforts to transform the department’s culture to improve policing and community safety in the city. We are encouraged to see her return to Baltimore City government.”
OSI-Baltimore looks forward to working with Martin in her new role to implement the Consent Decree, prevent youth violence, and divert young people from the justice system. Our Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Addiction and Health Equity Programs also hope to work the Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice to expand LEAD and other efforts that take a harm reduction approach to divert behavioral health issues away from the justice system and towards treatment and supportive services.