Visiting Someone in a Maryland Jail or Prison

With a budget of nearly $1.2 billion and almost 12,000 employees, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is one of Maryland’s largest state agencies. The DPSCS operates three correctional divisions at 27 facilities, plus 45 parole and probation supervision offices. If you need to visit someone at DPSCS, all of that might sound dizzying, but here are some things you need to know when visiting your loved one.

Visiting a correctional facility can be an overwhelming experience. You might be feeling confused, angry, humiliated, sad, or frightened. Undoubtedly your loved one is feeling all of this and more. First, it’s important to know what to expect ahead of time. This information is subject to change. You may want to read the DCPS Handbook or visit their website.

Call Ahead

We recommend you contact the correctional facility before planning your visit. There is a facility finder on Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services website. Locate the appropriate facility on the alphabetical list, and click the links to the right of each listing for specific details on visiting and for driving directions. Every facility may have different rules and regulations, as well as visiting hours and days, frequency of visits, duration of visits, and number of visitors.

Calling before planning your trip is always a good idea. Check again right before leaving. Nothing’s more disappointing than driving for hours only to discover that there will be no visits that day because of an unanticipated lock-down status or overlooked holiday.

Who Can Visit?

On initial reception, an inmate will complete a list of persons he or she would like to have as visitors. This list must be approved by the warden or facility administrator. The inmate’s lawyer and persons on official business may visit the inmate without being on the official visiting list, and that will not be counted as a visit. A certified religious visitor must be recorded on an inmate’s visiting list, but can visit the inmate without being counted in the allowable maximum number of visitors. The warden or facility administrator must give permission before allowing a visit from someone who is not on an inmate’s visiting list. All visitors are subject to search.

The warden has authority to deny a visit from anyone on an inmate’s visiting list if there is good reason. Visitors may be denied entrance if they are deemed to be a threat to security, staff, inmates, or prison operations, or where there has been a prior violation of visiting rules.

Under-Age Visitors and Restroom Use

Please keep in mind, especially when visiting with small children, that there is NO use of restroom facilities during visitation. If either the inmate or a visitor requires the use of the restroom, the visit will be concluded at that time. Visitors 16 years of age and older must present photographic identification. Children (18 years of age and younger) visiting the inmate must be immediate family to either the inmate or the visitor and must be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who is on the inmate’s visiting list.

Will I Be Searched?

All visitors should be prepared to be subject to canine sniff-down, electronic drug detection device, and visual mouth searches prior to being allowed to visit an inmate. If you cannot clear a metal detector, you will be denied entry, no exceptions. Only items specifically authorized by the warden may be brought into the facility. Any other items brought inside may be considered as contraband, and the visitor may be subject to criminal prosecution and penalties.

The Department’s key priority is security and safety for both staff and the inmate population. Increased gang identification, intelligence-coordination, and contraband interdiction have dramatically reduced violence against both staff and inmates over the past few years. A large part of this decline in assaults is credited to DPSCS’ war on cell phones. Increased staff training and intelligence gathering efforts, combined with an effective K-9 presence, have helped find many more illegal cell phones than before.

One Last Thing to Remember

Never give anything to, or accept anything from, any inmate.