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🏛 State Directory

Prisons and Jails in Maryland.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services manages the Maryland state correctional system. Maryland DPSCS inmate locator searches by ID number or name. Maryland operates a large correctional system relative to its size, with significant chal
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18
State facilities
25
County jails
1
Federal facilities
14K+
State inmates

Maryland State Prisons

18 facilities

Federal Facilities in Maryland

1 facility

Maryland County Jails

25 facilities

Maryland Department of Corrections

Maryland DPSCS inmate locator searches by ID number or name. Maryland operates a large correctional system relative to its size, with significant challenges in Baltimore City facilities. The state has undertaken major prison reform efforts in recent years.

The official inmate search is available at www.dpscs.state.md.us/inmate-info/inmate-locator. FCI Cumberland is in Maryland - medium security federal facility in the western mountains.

Visitation in Maryland Facilities

DPSCS visitor approval requires a visitor application. Processing takes 3 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. Baltimore City Detention Center has a separate visitor process managed by Baltimore City.

Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Maryland prison directory.

Sending Mail to Maryland Inmates

Maryland DPSCS mail requires the inmate's ID number. Standard 4x6 photos accepted at most facilities. Baltimore City Detention Center (pretrial) has different mail policies than DPSCS state prisons.

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Maryland facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.

Phone Calls from Maryland Facilities

Maryland is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds most Maryland DPSCS contracts.

Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Maryland prison directory.

Sending Money to Maryland Inmates

Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Maryland:

  • JPay (primary for DPSCS state facilities)
  • Money orders at some facilities
  • Baltimore City jail uses different systems

See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.

Reentry Resources in Maryland

Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Maryland:

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Prisons

What is the Jessup correctional complex?

Jessup, Maryland in Howard County is home to one of the densest concentrations of correctional facilities in the United States. Maryland Correctional Institution - Jessup, Patuxent Institution, Maryland Correctional Institution for Women, and several other facilities are all located within a few miles of each other along Route 175 between Baltimore and Washington. These are distinct facilities with separate mailing addresses, visiting schedules, and administrative structures despite sharing a geographic address. Before sending mail or planning a visit, confirm the exact facility name and mailing address from your inmate directly - sending mail to Jessup, MD without the correct facility name and address is a reliable way to have it lost or significantly delayed.

What is Patuxent Institution?

Patuxent Institution in Jessup is a unique Maryland correctional facility operating as a specialized treatment center. It uses a voluntary therapeutic community model - inmates must apply and be accepted to participate in intensive programming including psychological treatment, substance abuse intervention, and educational programming. Patuxent historically housed Eligible Persons (those who volunteered for intensive programming in exchange for release consideration) and a Youthful Offenders program. If your family member is at Patuxent, their program participation is central to their experience and progress there. Understanding how Patuxent's therapeutic model works will help you support them effectively. Patuxent's contact number is 410-799-3400.

Does Maryland have free prison phone calls?

No - Maryland has not eliminated phone call fees for state inmates. Securus Technologies holds most Maryland DPSCS contracts. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps reduced per-minute rates at state and federal facilities, but calls are still charged per minute. Maryland advocacy organizations have been pushing for state-level legislation, particularly given Baltimore City's high incarceration rate and the financial impact on families already facing economic hardship. County jail phone rates vary by county and provider. If phone costs are a barrier, written mail, JPay electronic messaging, and InmateAid's Letters From Inmates service are the most cost-effective alternatives for meaningful regular contact.

What is the Baltimore City Detention Center?

Baltimore City Detention Center is the main pretrial detention facility for people arrested in Baltimore City, managed by Maryland DPSCS but functioning as the city's jail for those awaiting trial in Baltimore City courts. BCDC has been under federal oversight related to conditions for years, and the facility has been the focus of reporting on gang influence, contraband, and corruption at various points in its history. If your family member was recently arrested in Baltimore City, they are likely at BCDC or an associated facility while awaiting trial. BCDC's complex at 300-401 East Madison Street houses multiple facilities - confirm the specific building before mailing. BCDC uses JPay for money deposits.

How do I send money to someone at a Maryland county jail?

Maryland has 24 counties plus Baltimore City - 25 separate local jurisdictions each operating their own detention facility with different money transfer providers. Some Maryland county jails use JPay, others use TouchPay, and some still accept money orders or kiosk deposits only. Before sending money, call the specific county jail directly or check their website to confirm the current accepted method. Sending through the wrong platform causes delays and potential loss of funds. A two-minute call before sending saves real money and real frustration. Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Anne Arundel County are among the larger county facilities, each with their own current policies.

What is the BRT cell extraction controversy at Maryland facilities?

In 2019 and subsequent years, videos and reports documented Emergency Response Team cell extraction procedures at Maryland correctional facilities that raised serious concerns about excessive force. The ACLU of Maryland filed litigation and submitted oversight requests in response, and Maryland DPSCS has been operating under scrutiny from federal monitors related to these and related concerns. If you have specific concerns about your family member's safety or treatment at a Maryland facility, the ACLU of Maryland's Prisoners' Rights Project can be reached at 410-889-8550. The Prison Policy Initiative also maintains Maryland-specific resources. Documenting concerns in writing and going through official channels, including the grievance process, is generally the most effective approach.

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