Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security prison located in Jessup, Maryland. The facility, which was established in 1955, was created with the aim of rehabilitating prisoners with persistent antisocial and criminal behavior through psychotherapeutic treatment.
Over the years, the mission of Patuxent Institution has evolved, but it has remained a hub for treatment services for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Patuxent Institution has been a subject of concern among civil libertarians since its inception. The institution’s behavior modification programs have been criticized by reformers, who have also accused the prison of subjecting inmates to long periods of detention and physical abuse.
Despite these criticisms, Patuxent Institution has remained a vital part of Maryland’s criminal justice system, delivering specialized treatment services to male and female offenders.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 987 |
| Physical Address | 7555 Waterloo Road Jessup, Maryland 20794 |
| Mailing Address | 7555 Waterloo Road Jessup, Maryland 20794 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday/Sunday/Holidays: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Disciplinary Segregation hours are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Only) |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (410) 799-3400 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
Patuxent Institution is a correctional facility located in Jessup, Maryland. It was established in 1955 under the Defective Delinquent Statute (Article 31B), which allowed for the commitment of dangerous criminals to a secure facility for treatment. The institution was designed to provide psychotherapeutic treatment to individuals who demonstrated persistent antisocial and criminal behavior.
In 1977, after years of controversy and criticism, the one-day-to-life indeterminate sentence to Patuxent was abolished, and the term “defective delinquent” was eliminated from the Patuxent law. Residence at Patuxent was made voluntary, and the institution’s mission evolved to focus on the treatment of offenders with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Over the years, Patuxent has been at the forefront of innovative treatment programs for offenders. In the 1960s, it pioneered the use of group therapy, and in the 1970s, it introduced the use of methadone to treat heroin addiction. In the 1980s, Patuxent began to use cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat sex offenders.
In recent years, Patuxent has continued to develop new programs to address the changing needs of the offender population. It offers specialized treatment programs for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, as well as programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Despite its controversial history, Patuxent Institution remains an important part of Maryland’s criminal justice system. It has played a significant role in the development of innovative treatment programs for offenders and continues to provide treatment to some of the state’s most challenging cases.
Location and Address
Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security correctional facility located in Jessup, Maryland. The institution is situated on a 740-acre plot of land, which includes a 120-acre farm. The facility is approximately 10 miles from Columbia, Maryland, and 20 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.
The address of Patuxent Institution is P.O. Box 700, Jessup, MD 20794. Visitors are required to provide a valid photo ID and must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list. The institution is accessible by car and public transportation.
For those traveling by car, Patuxent Institution is located off Maryland Route 32. There is ample parking available for visitors. For those traveling by public transportation, the closest bus stop is located at the intersection of Route 175 and Patuxent Range Road, which is approximately a 20-minute walk from the institution.
Patuxent Institution is located in a suburban area, with nearby amenities including restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers. The facility is surrounded by trees and greenery, providing a peaceful environment for both inmates and staff.
Overall, the location of Patuxent Institution is easily accessible and provides a safe and secure environment for both inmates and visitors.
Facilities
Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security correctional facility that provides specialized treatment services to male and female offenders. The facility is located in Jessup, Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It is the only facility for sentenced offenders in Maryland.
The facility has a capacity of 987 inmates and is staffed by 500 employees. The staff includes correctional officers, treatment specialists, teachers, and healthcare professionals. The facility has a variety of buildings, including housing units, administrative offices, medical facilities, and recreational areas.
Patuxent Institution has a Correctional Mental Health Center that provides mental health services to inmates. The center offers individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and medication management. The center also provides specialized services for inmates with serious mental illness.
The facility has a GED program that allows inmates to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. The program provides instruction in reading, writing, and math. Inmates can also take vocational courses in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
The facility has a Board of Review that reviews inmate cases and makes recommendations for treatment and release. The board includes representatives from the facility, the courts, and the community.
The facility has a Warden who is responsible for the overall operation of the facility. The Warden is assisted by an Associate Director who oversees treatment services and a Director who oversees the facility’s operations.
Patuxent Institution has a Court that hears cases involving inmates. The court includes judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals.
The facility provides treatment services to inmates with substance abuse and mental health issues. The treatment services include individual and group therapy, medication management, and vocational training.
The facility has a Conditional Release program that allows inmates to be released early if they meet certain criteria. Inmates must complete treatment programs and demonstrate good behavior to be eligible for release.
Female offenders are housed in a separate unit at Patuxent Institution. The unit provides specialized services for female offenders, including parenting classes and support groups.
Inmates who violate facility rules may be placed in disciplinary segregation. Disciplinary segregation is a form of punishment where inmates are placed in a separate housing unit and have limited privileges. Inmates in disciplinary segregation receive additional counseling and support services to help them address their behavior.
Rehabilitation and Therapy Programs
Patuxent Institution offers a wide range of rehabilitation and therapy programs to its inmates. The institution’s primary focus is to provide psychotherapeutic treatment to those inmates who have been diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. The treatment programs are designed to help inmates gain insight into their mental health issues and develop coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms.
The treatment programs are conducted by a team of psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists who work closely with the inmates to develop individualized treatment plans. The programs include both group and individual therapy sessions, and they aim to address a range of issues, including criminal behavior, responsibility, and community parole.
In addition to the psychotherapeutic treatment programs, Patuxent Institution also offers a range of remediation programs to its inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates develop social skills, improve their educational and vocational skills, and prepare them for reentry into the community. The programs are conducted by qualified instructors and are available to all inmates, regardless of their sentence length.
The institution also has a Mental Health Transition Unit (MHTU) that is designed to help inmates with mental health issues transition back into the community. The MHTU provides a range of services, including evaluation, medication management, and counseling, to help inmates manage their mental health issues and prepare for reentry.
The Institutional Board of Review (IBR) plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation and therapy programs at Patuxent Institution. The IBR is responsible for reviewing the progress of each inmate in the treatment programs and making recommendations for further treatment or release. The IBR also plays a key role in determining the length of an inmate’s indeterminate sentence.
Overall, Patuxent Institution’s rehabilitation and therapy programs are designed to help inmates overcome their mental health issues and develop the skills necessary to successfully reintegrate into the community. The institution’s focus on individualized treatment plans and remediation programs makes it a leader in the field of correctional rehabilitation.
Visitation and Communication
Visitation Hours
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
(Disciplinary Segregation hours are 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Only)
Patuxent Institution allows visitation for family and friends of incarcerated individuals. Visitors are required to follow a dress code and adhere to specific visiting hours. Visitation is subject to cancellation at any time, so visitors should always check for any updates before making the trip.
To schedule an in-person visitation, visitors must email the facility using the assigned email address provided on the DPSCS website. Visitors are required to fill out a COVID-19 screening questionnaire and have their temperature checked upon arrival. Masks covering the nose and mouth must be worn at all times.
In addition to in-person visitation, Patuxent Institution offers video visitation through ConnectNetwork. Visitors must create an account and schedule a visitation time in advance. Video visitation is subject to the same dress code and visiting hours as in-person visitation.
Mail is another form of communication available to incarcerated individuals at Patuxent Institution. Incoming mail is subject to inspection for contraband, and all mail must be addressed to the inmate with their full name and identification number. Inmates may also use the GTL Correctional Account to make phone calls and receive deposits from family and friends. AdvancePay and PIN Debit are prepaid telephone accounts available to inmates for making phone calls.
Overall, Patuxent Institution provides various means of communication for incarcerated individuals to stay in touch with their loved ones. Visitors should always check for any updates or changes in visiting hours and procedures before planning a visit.
Contraband and Criminal Violations
Patuxent Institution has strict rules and regulations regarding contraband possession. According to Maryland’s Criminal Law Article, Sections 9-410 and 9-412 through 9-417, it is illegal for a person to possess, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver contraband in a place of confinement. The institution defines contraband as any item that can reasonably be expected to cause physical injury or adversely affect the security, safety, or good order of the institution.
Patuxent Institution takes contraband violations seriously and has implemented measures to prevent and detect contraband. These measures include regular searches of inmates and their living areas, as well as the use of K-9 units trained to detect contraband. The institution also has a strict policy on visitors, who are subject to searches and can be denied entry if they violate the institution’s rules.
In addition to contraband violations, Patuxent Institution also deals with criminal violations committed by inmates. The institution has a zero-tolerance policy for any criminal behavior, and any violation of the law is taken seriously. The institution works closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal violations.
Patuxent Institution also offers various programs to help inmates understand the consequences of their actions and to prevent future criminal behavior. These programs include substance abuse treatment, anger management, and vocational training.
In conclusion, Patuxent Institution has strict policies and measures in place to prevent and detect contraband and criminal violations. The institution takes these violations seriously and works closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of its staff, inmates, and the public.
Clinical Services
Patuxent Institution offers a wide array of clinical services to its male and female offender population. The institution’s full-time clinicians and custody personnel work together to ensure that each offender receives the appropriate clinical treatment services.
One of the primary clinical services offered by Patuxent is the assessment process. This process is completed by the Remediation Management Teams and is designed to identify the specific needs of each offender. The assessment includes a review of the offender’s criminal history, substance abuse history, and mental health history.
The assessment process is followed by a treatment plan that is tailored to the needs of the offender. The treatment plan may include Moral Problem Solving, Relapse Prevention, the Patuxent Drug Recovery Program, the Sexual Offender Treatment Module, and the Regimented Offender Treatment Center.
In addition to the treatment programs offered, Patuxent also has a Step-down Mental Health Unit that provides intensive mental health services to offenders who require more than routine mental health care. The Substance Abuse Transition Program is also available to offenders who require additional support as they transition back into the community.
The Clinical Services offered by Patuxent Institution are designed to provide offenders with the tools they need to successfully reintegrate into society. The Maryland Parole Commission and the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation work closely with Patuxent to ensure that offenders are prepared for release and have the support they need to succeed. Patuxent Youth PR and Group Psychotherapy are also available to provide additional support to offenders who require it.
Money and Financial Services
Patuxent Institution offers a variety of financial services to inmates and their families. Inmates can receive money through money orders, personal checks, and deposit methods. To send money to an inmate, families can use money orders or personal checks. Money orders can be purchased at any post office or Walmart, and personal checks must be made payable to the inmate and sent to the institution’s address.
Inmates can also set up a prepaid telephone account through the institution’s authorized deposit and account management portal, ConnectNetwork. This allows inmates to make phone calls to approved numbers without the need for collect calls.
The DPSCS Assistant Warden oversees the financial services provided to inmates. In addition, the Security Chief ensures that all financial transactions are secure and monitored for any suspicious activity.
It is important to note that there are fees associated with some financial services at Patuxent Institution. For example, there is a fee for depositing money into an inmate’s account, and there may be fees associated with using a prepaid telephone account.
Overall, Patuxent Institution strives to provide inmates and their families with convenient and secure financial services.
Security and Safety
Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security correctional facility that houses both male and female offenders. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ mission of protecting the public, protecting its employees, and protecting the offenders under its supervision has remained paramount in the institution’s delivery of specialized treatment services to male and female inmates.
The institution is a self-contained operation, with its own water and sewage treatment plants, power plant, and maintenance facilities. Security measures at Patuxent Institution are strict, and all visitors must adhere to the visitor dress code. Visitors are required to wear modest clothing that is not revealing, and they are prohibited from wearing any clothing that resembles inmate clothing. Visitors must also pass through security checkpoints and are subject to search.
Correctional Mental Health Center Jessup is a part of the Patuxent Institution, which provides mental health services to male and female inmates. The center offers a wide range of mental health programs, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and crisis intervention. The programs are designed to help inmates manage their mental health symptoms and develop coping skills to prevent future crises.
Substance abuse treatment is also available at Patuxent Institution. The institution offers a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program that includes individual and group counseling, education, and relapse prevention. The program is designed to help inmates overcome their addiction and develop the skills necessary to maintain sobriety.
Educational programs are also available at Patuxent Institution. The institution offers a variety of educational programs, including adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training. The educational programs are designed to help inmates develop the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce and reintegrate into society upon release.
The Master Gardener program is another unique aspect of Patuxent Institution. The program is designed to teach inmates about horticulture and gardening. Inmates learn about plant propagation, soil science, and pest management. The program provides inmates with a positive and productive outlet for their time and energy.
Overall, Patuxent Institution provides diverse services to male and female inmates. The institution’s mission of protecting the public, protecting its employees, and protecting the offenders under its supervision is evident in the security measures and treatment services provided.