11 Prisons in Maryland: Exploring Life Behind Bars

The state of Maryland is home to a number of correctional facilities that house inmates from all over the state. From maximum-security prisons to work-release centers, Maryland’s correctional system aims to provide secure and safe facilities for both the staff and inmates.

With a population of over 6 million, Maryland has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, which has led to increased scrutiny of the state’s prison system.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the prisons in Maryland, their history, and their current state, as well as explore some of the challenges facing the state’s correctional system.

Maryland Prison Map

Use the Maryland prison map below to locate any facility. Click on the map markers to read our detailed guide of that facility.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Baltimore City Correctional Center	Baltimore, MD	2,500	Pretrial/Local	Both	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Eastern Correctional Institution	Westover, MD	3,400	Medium	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Chesapeake Detention Facility	Baltimore, MD	1,896	Maximum Level II	N/A	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Jessup Correctional Institution	Jessup, MD	1,600	Maximum	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Maryland Correctional Institution – Jessup	Jessup, MD	1,068	Medium	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Maryland Correctional Institution for Women	Jessup, MD	845	Multi-Level	Female	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
North Branch Correctional Institution	Cresaptown, Maryland	1,500+	Maximum	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Patuxent Institution	Jessup, Maryland	987	Maximum	Male and Female	Not part of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Roxbury Correctional Institution	Hagerstown, Maryland	1,200	Medium	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Western Correctional Institution	Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland	1,793	Maximum	Male	Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

Baltimore City Correctional Center

The Baltimore City Correctional Center is a detention facility located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and primarily houses pretrial detainees awaiting trial or sentencing.

The facility was built in 1859 and has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the years. It has a capacity of approximately 2,500 inmates and houses both male and female detainees.

The facility has been the subject of controversy in recent years due to reports of poor living conditions, inadequate healthcare, and high levels of violence among inmates. Despite these challenges, the Baltimore City Correctional Center remains an important part of Maryland’s criminal justice system.

Eastern Correctional Institution

Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) is a medium-security state prison for men situated in Westover, Somerset County, Maryland.

It is owned and operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The prison has a minimum-security Annex, completed in 1993, and has the capacity to house around 3,400 inmates in total.

It is the largest prison in Maryland with an actual population of about 3,300. The facility is located adjacent to the Somerset County Detention Center.

Chesapeake Detention Facility

The Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) is a maximum level II prison in Baltimore, Maryland. Formerly known as the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center (MCAC), the facility is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Since 2012, the state has managed the facility under a contract with the United States Marshals Service, and no longer holds state prisoners at CDF. The facility was built in 1988 and is located at 401 East Madison Street. Prior to February 2011, inmates were confined to their cells for up to 24 hours per day.

Today, the facility houses federal pre-trial detainees who are not subjected to the supermax conditions that state inmates previously experienced. Federal detainees have access to recreation, communal meals, and phones.

Jessup Correctional Institution

Jessup Correctional Institution is a maximum-security prison located in Jessup, Maryland. Operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, it was previously known as the Maryland House of Correction-Annex.

The facility is designed to house adult male offenders, and it has a capacity of approximately 1,600 inmates. JCI provides a range of programs and services to inmates, including educational opportunities, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The prison also has a number of specialized housing units, including a segregation unit for inmates who pose a security risk, a medical unit for inmates with chronic health conditions, and a transitional unit for inmates preparing to re-enter society.

Overall, Jessup Correctional Institution plays a critical role in the Maryland criminal justice system, providing secure and safe confinement for some of the state’s most dangerous offenders.

Maryland Correctional Institution – Jessup

Maryland Correctional Institution – Jessup is a medium security state prison located in Jessup, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It was opened in 1981 and can hold up to 1068 male inmates at medium security.

The facility was initially an annex to the state House of Correction before becoming a separate facility. It is situated opposite Jessup Correctional Institution and Dorsey Run Correctional Facility.

The prison provides services such as education, healthcare, and vocational training to help inmates reintegrate into society after their release. The prison’s mission is to maintain public safety by providing a secure and humane environment for inmates.

Maryland Correctional Institution for Women

Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCI-W) is a multi-level security prison that is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in Jessup, Maryland. The facility was established in 1931 and currently houses approximately 845 female inmates.

MCI-W is designed to hold inmates at various security levels, from minimum to maximum security. The prison offers educational and vocational programs to help inmates acquire skills and knowledge that will assist them in their reentry into society.

These programs include adult basic education, GED preparation, vocational training, and college courses. MCI-W also provides healthcare services to the inmates, including medical and dental care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.

The prison has a visiting program that allows family and friends to visit inmates on designated days and times.

North Branch Correctional Institution

North Branch Correctional Institution (NBCI) is a maximum security prison located in Cresaptown, Maryland. The facility is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and is designed to house the state’s most dangerous and violent offenders.

With a capacity of over 1,500 inmates, NBCI is one of the largest prisons in Maryland. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and security measures, including advanced surveillance systems and electronic locking systems.

Inmates at NBCI are provided with a range of programs and services designed to help them rehabilitate and prepare for reentry into society. These include education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

Patuxent Institution

Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security correctional facility located in Jessup, Maryland. It is primarily a treatment-oriented institution that offers diverse services to male and female offenders in the state.

With a maximum capacity of 987 beds, it is one of the largest facilities in Maryland. Unlike other correctional facilities in the state, Patuxent Institution is not part of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Its foundation lies in the Maryland Public General Law which was enacted in 1951. The facility is designed to provide treatment and rehabilitation to offenders, with a focus on addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

Roxbury Correctional Institution

Roxbury Correctional Institution is a medium security prison located in Hagerstown, Maryland. It is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

The facility was opened in 1985 and is designed to house approximately 1,200 male inmates. The prison has a range of security measures in place, including electronic surveillance systems, secure fencing, and regular patrols by correctional officers.

Inmates at Roxbury Correctional Institution have access to a range of programs and services, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling.

The facility is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates and has a strong focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates.

Western Correctional Institution

The Western Correctional Institution is a maximum security state prison for men located in Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland. It was opened in 1996 and has an official capacity of 1793.

The facility is situated close to two other correctional facilities: the North Branch Correctional Institution and the Allegany County Detention Center. The former was first opened as an extension of Western and was later officially separated in 2003.

A third prison, the Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland, is also located in the same county. Western Correctional Institution is designed to house the most dangerous and violent offenders in Maryland, and as such, is equipped with a range of security features and specialized staff.

The facility provides a range of educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs to help inmates prepare for their eventual release.

Federal Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender
Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland	Western Maryland	1,444	Medium-security	Male

Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland

The Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland is a medium-security federal prison located in western Maryland. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and is designed to house male inmates.

In addition to the main facility, there is also a satellite prison camp for minimum-security offenders. FCI Cumberland is situated approximately 130 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., and serves as a key part of the federal prison system.

One unique aspect of FCI Cumberland is the license plate manufacturing center, where inmates produce license plates used on federal government vehicles. Overall, FCI Cumberland plays an important role in the nation’s corrections system and provides a secure environment for male offenders.

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