Graveyard For Black Boys Who Died In Maryland Detention To Be Restored

An abandoned graveyard in Maryland is finally being restored to honor the 230 Black boys buried there, who died while confined to the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, per the Washington Post.

The House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children was a state-run juvenile detention facility located in Prince George’s County that operated from the late 19th to early 20th century. According to a Washington Post investigation, many Black children were sent to the House of Reformation for minor offenses, subjected to forced labor, and endured harsh conditions before dying in custody.

The Maryland cemetery containing the remains of boys who died between 1870 and 1939 was rediscovered last year by the state Department of Juvenile Services. Governor Wes Moore’s administration has pledged $250,000 in the next budget to begin the restoration, which includes uncovering more unmarked graves, repairing headstones, and creating a memorial.

On Tuesday (September 23), members of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus visited the site to commemorate the boys and push for accountability.

“The purpose of the visit was to commemorate, bring dignity, bring light, and also accountability in terms of this facility, which was created by the state and abused and neglected young Black boys who never left and are now buried there," Delegate Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery) said in a statement.

The group of lawmakers walked through the overgrown, wooded cemetery, offering prayers and discussing policy reforms to prevent future harm to Black children.

Historian David Schindler, who briefed lawmakers, said, “We’ve been told, in this area there are many, many headstones we haven’t seen yet. That’s why the work to restore this area is so important.”

“We need to be mindful of never, ever allowing something like this to happen again," State Senator Michael Jackson said.

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