Maryland prison visitation rules, the odd/even SID schedule, and who is automatically excluded

INTRO

Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) runs a mid-sized prison system across 24 jurisdictions - 23 counties plus Baltimore City. The statewide visitation program is centrally governed with facility-level schedule variations, all built around one system: the odd/even SID number scheduling system.

Every incarcerated person in DPSCS has a corrections identification number. The last digit of that number determines which calendar dates they are eligible for visits - odd numbers visit on odd-numbered dates, even numbers visit on even-numbered dates. Your ability to visit depends on knowing the last digit of that number and matching it to the calendar before you plan a trip.

Two automatic exclusions distinguish Maryland from most states in the directory. Anyone under the supervision of the Division of Parole and Probation - or currently on home detention - is prohibited from visiting. And anyone with any open warrants for arrest is prohibited. Neither requires review or discretion. Both are automatic disqualifications.

Maryland uses commercial bail bonds - bail_banned = false. Maryland has 24 jurisdictions (23 counties plus Baltimore City, which functions as an independent city).

THE ODD/EVEN SID SCHEDULING SYSTEM

Maryland uses the last digit of the incarcerated individual's corrections identification number (SID#) to determine which calendar dates they may receive visits. This applies statewide.

How it works:

- SID numbers ending in odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): visits on odd-numbered calendar dates throughout the year (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th... etc.)

- SID numbers ending in even digits (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): visits on even-numbered calendar dates throughout the year (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th... etc.)

Edge cases:

- The 31st of any month: some facilities do not permit visits on the 31st (MCI-W explicitly prohibits visits on the 31st)

- Months where both weekend dates are odd (e.g., 31st and 1st): the incarcerated individual may receive a visit on one of these days, but not both

Practical application: if the person you're visiting has a SID number ending in 7 (odd), you can visit on January 7th, 9th, 11th, etc. - not on January 8th or 10th. Check the last digit before planning any trip.

Facilities that run video/virtual visits may operate on the same odd/even system or a separate schedule. Verify with the specific facility before scheduling.

VISITOR APPROVAL - WHO MAY VISIT AND WHO IS AUTOMATICALLY EXCLUDED

Must be on the approved visitor list: all visitors 19 years of age and older must be on the incarcerated individual's approved visitor list. Visitors 18 years of age and younger must be immediate family to either the incarcerated individual or the adult visitor.

Must serve minimum: the incarcerated individual must serve at least 30 days before qualifying for any visitation.

AUTOMATIC EXCLUSIONS - NO DISCRETION, NO APPEAL:

The following categories are automatically prohibited from visiting without any review process:

1. Anyone under the supervision of the Division of Parole and Probation

2. Anyone currently on home detention

3. Anyone with any open warrants for arrest from any federal, state, or local criminal justice agency

4. Anyone who is a fugitive from any criminal justice agency

These are not case-by-case decisions. If you have an open warrant or are currently on parole, probation, or home detention in any jurisdiction, you cannot visit a Maryland DPSCS facility. The prohibition is statewide and applies regardless of your relationship to the incarcerated person.

Additionally:

- Visitors must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol

- Visitors must not pose a threat to the safety and security of the facility

FINGERPRINT SCREENING - MRDCC AND OTHER FACILITIES

At MRDCC (Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center) and potentially other facilities, all visitors are fingerprinted using a single-digit fingerprint scanning device (Web ID software) as part of check-in.

Important: a "hit" in the Web ID system does NOT automatically deny the visit. A hit only indicates that the visitor has fingerprints on file for criminal or non-criminal purposes (e.g., professional licensing, background checks, prior criminal record). If the system shows a hit, the visitor is provided with a letter explaining that additional review may follow.

Refusing to submit to fingerprint identification means you will not be allowed to enter the facility.

ID REQUIREMENTS

All visitors 16 years of age and older must present a valid state-issued photo ID for every visit. Driver's license, state ID card, or military ID. Expired IDs are not accepted. The name on the ID must match the approved visitor list.

MICROSOFT TEAMS - FREE VIDEO VISITATION

Maryland DPSCS replaced Skype with Microsoft Teams for all virtual social visitation. This is a free service.

To participate, visitors must complete the DPSCS Video Visitation Form before their first virtual visit. Available at dpscs.maryland.gov.

Instructions to access Microsoft Teams are available at dpscs.maryland.gov/publicinfo/virtual_visitation.shtml.

The dress code applies equally to virtual/video visits.

MRDCC alternating schedule: MRDCC runs in-person and Microsoft Teams visits on alternating weeks - one week in-person only, the next week Microsoft Teams only. Check the MRDCC facility page at dpscs.maryland.gov/locations/mrdcc.shtml for the current week's format before traveling.

MCI-W (Maryland Correctional Institution for Women): maximum 2 visits per week - one in-person and one video visit. No visits on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or the 31st of any month.

DRESS CODE - STATEWIDE STANDARD

Maryland DPSCS publishes a statewide dress code at dpscs.maryland.gov/inmateservs/inmate_visitation.shtml. It applies to all in-person and virtual visits.

The statewide "neck to kneecap" rule: all clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps at all times. This is simpler than most state dress codes - one rule covers most situations.

Prohibited clothing items (statewide):

- Tube tops, tank tops, halter tops

- See-through or transparent clothing

- Miniskirts, mini-dresses, shorts, skorts, culottes at or above the kneecap

- Form-fitting clothing: leotards, spandex, leggings

- Clothing that exposes the midriff, side, or back

- Tops or dresses with revealing necklines

Outerwear (coats, jackets, shawls): must be stored in available lockers. Exception: suit jackets, dress coats, and sport coats may be worn into the visiting room and are subject to search through the metal detector.

Jewelry: all jewelry is prohibited and must be stored in provided lockers before entering the visiting room. Exceptions: wedding ring sets and medic alert jewelry (including medical alert bracelets and ID tags). Earrings, necklaces, rings, and facial/body piercings must be removed and stored.

Maryland does not publish a specific color prohibition equivalent to California's blue denim or Alabama's white. The statewide standard is the neck-to-kneecap modesty rule.

RESTROOM RULE

Maryland has a restroom rule published statewide: any visitor who leaves the visitation area to use the restroom will not be allowed to return to the visiting room during that visit.

This matches Kentucky's EKCC rule. Plan accordingly - especially when visiting with small children. Several Maryland facility pages specifically note: "keep this in mind when visiting with small children."

WHAT YOU CAN BRING

Prohibited items during visits (statewide):

- Cell phones

- Electronic devices of any kind

- Jewelry, including watches

- Tobacco products

- Alcohol-based beverages and products (hand sanitizer is available in the facility)

- Any item passed between visitor and incarcerated individual

What you may bring:

- A fast-acting rescue medication to treat a life-threatening medical condition

- Up to $10.00 cash in $1.00 bills - only if the visiting area has a vending machine

Hands: must remain in plain sight on top of the table at all times during the visit.

VISITOR LIMITS AND DURATION

Standard visit duration: 1 hour

Disciplinary segregation visits: 30 minutes (some facilities), once per week

Visitor limit: up to 3 adults and 3 minor children at one time at most facilities (some facilities: 3 visitors total including children)

Maximum visits per week: typically 2 per week; 1 per day; additional visit during holiday weeks

CANINE AND DRUG DETECTION SEARCHES

Multiple Maryland facilities deploy K-9 units and electronic drug detection devices at visitor check-in. Specifically, at MCTC: all visitors are subject to canine (if available), electronic drug detection device (if available), and/or visual mouth searches prior to entry. This is similar to Louisiana's K-9 search protocol.

If you cannot clear the metal detector, you will be denied entry.

CONTRABAND - CRIMINAL PENALTIES

Maryland Criminal Law Article, §9-410 and §9-412 through §9-417: it is unlawful to possess, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver contraband in a place of confinement. Contraband includes telecommunication devices, escape equipment, weapons, alcohol, controlled dangerous substances, and tobacco.

Penalties upon conviction: imprisonment from 3 to 10 years, fines from $1,000 to $5,000, or both.

Telecommunications specifically: it is unlawful to deposit or conceal a telecommunication device in or about a place of confinement with intent that an incarcerated person obtain it. Same criminal penalties apply.

FEDERAL BOP IN MARYLAND

Federal inmates from Maryland fall under BOP Residential Reentry Management Baltimore. Federal prisons operate under BOP Program Statement 5267.09 - no SID odd/even scheduling; no Division of Parole and Probation automatic exclusion (federal probation is separate).

Federal facilities in Maryland: FCI Cumberland (Cumberland, MD), FCI Hazelton (WV - serves some MD defendants). Detainees may be held at Baltimore City Detention Center (city contract). Pull current details at bop.gov/locations/.

BOP RRM Baltimore: 431 West Camden Street, Suite 523, Baltimore, MD 21201

REENTRY CONNECTION

Maryland DPSCS operates Community Reentry Centers across the state. See our Maryland halfway houses page at inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/maryland/ for statewide reentry housing resources.