Processing
Upon reporting to the Detention Center lobby, you will be escorted to the Processing area.
- Inmates and property will be searched upon admission, personal property will be inventoried and searched for contraband; any personal property not allowed inside the housing unit will be placed in the property room and a receipt will be issued for all stored property.
- Inmates will be givenan opportunity to make at leasttwo, free, five-minute phone calls.
- View an orientation video.
- Receive a medical screening.
- Escorted to a diagnostic housing unit.
- A Classification Unit Officer will meet with the inmate for initial intake and assessment for all programs and custody assignmentsto a housing unit.
Inmates are permitted to retain the following property:
- Eyeglasses
- Legal papers
- Medic alert medallion or bracelet
- Nonmetallic religious medallion two inchesor smaller
- Photographs no larger than five by seven (no Polaroid pictures)
- Plain ring (wedding band type)
- Undergarments, white short-sleeve tee shirts without pockets or decals, and socks
The Department will issue a uniform and the following items to inmates processed in:
- Cup and spoon
- Deodorant
- Identification bracelet (which must be worn at all times)
- Laundry bag
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Two uniforms, two shorts and shoes
- Two sheets and two blankets
- Washcloth and towel
Inmates will be held strictly accountable for the return of issued items, hygiene items can be kept.
Classification
While in the diagnostic housing unit, inmates will be interviewed and assessed by a Classification Officer within 48 hours. Based on the information obtained from the initial interview, the inmate’s criminal record, and the inmate’s file, an assessment will be completed by the Classification Officer to assist in determining custody status and housing assignments.
Inmates are assigned the following custody levels:
- Maximum Pretrial or Sentenced
- Medium Pretrial or Sentenced
- Minimum Pretrial or Sentenced
In most cases, inmates are placed in non-restrictive general population housing units. If special circ*mstances exist, an inmate may be placed in more restrictive or special housing units such as:
- Administrative Segregation
- Protective Custody
- Youthful Offenders
- Psychiatric Housing
- Medical Housing
An inmate will be placed in one of these units to maintain the safety and security of the inmate and the institution. During the initial interview, the Classification Officer will address the inmate’s questions regarding programs, services, court dates, etc. Information obtained during the initial interview will determine housing, job assignments, program placements, and referrals for additional services.
Once an inmate has been classified and transferred from the diagnostic unit, they will be assigned a Classification Officer who will provide direct case management services during his/her incarceration. An inmate may access the services of the Classification Unit by submitting an inmate request form to their Classification Officer. Designated Classification Officers will visit each housing unit at least three times per week. Classification Officers will assist inmates with referrals to the Social Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, the Public Defender’s Office, G.E.D. Program, and other services offered at the Detention Center.
The Classification Unit is staffed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions or concerns regarding an inmate you may contact the Classification Unit at the number below. The Classification Unit will provide limited information to the public concerning an inmate’s status. However, it will not disclose an inmate’s court dates, release date, or charges.
While being processed into the facility, inmates are given the opportunity to make telephone calls to family and bondsmen. Inmates are not allowed to receive any incoming phone calls.
About Outgoing Collect Calls
When an inmate is assigned to a regular housing unit, he/she will be allowed to make outgoing callson a collect call basis from 8 a.m. until 10:45 p.m., with the exception of meal times, institutional counts, lockdowns, and cleaning details. Inmates will be allotted 30 minutes per phone call; the telephone system will notify inmates when they have one minute remaining and will automatically shut off after 30 minutes have elapsed.Telephone calls made from the housing units are collect calls only. If you do not have Verizon as your phone service carrier, you must contact IC Solutions to set up an account to receive collect calls. The telephone number to IC Solutions is:1-888-506-8407, or you may visit www.icsolutions.com/ and follow the link to PrePaid Collect Calling for more information.
Block Calls from Inmates
To block calls from inmates, you must also call 1-866-228-4031.
Emergency Calls
In the event there is an emergency in the family, such as a death or severe illness or injury to a family member, a relative of the inmate should contact the Shift Commander’s Office at 410-512-3305.
Billing and Complaints
If you have questions regarding billing fees, please contact IC Solutions at 1-888-506-8407.
If you have complaints and or continued problems with the phone service such as bad reception, phone cutoff, or phone out-of-service, contact IC Solutions at 1-888-506-8407 or our Building Operations Unit at 410-512-3301. The inmate is also encouraged to notify the Housing Unit Officer.
Funds
Inmate funds (any currency, checks, etc., are placed into non-interest bearing accounts, known as escrow accounts.) There is no minimum or maximum amount that may be placed into an inmate’s accountand the amount of the deposit will be recorded on the inmate’s property envelope. Inmates can purchase commissary from any money in their escrow account.
Funds must be deposited into an inmate's account by using a method listed below.
| Payment Options | Details |
|---|---|
| Detention Center kiosk | Cash, Visa and MasterCard |
| Online | Visit TouchPay |
| By Phone | 1-866-232-1899 |
| Walk-in Retail Locations | Use the online locator to find locations near you. |
| Deposit Amount | Fees |
|---|---|
| Under $20 | $2.95 |
| $20.01 to $100 | $4.95 |
| $100.01 to $200 | $6.95 |
Commissaryis a service in which inmates can purchase clothing, food, and personal hygiene products with the funds they have in their inmate accounts. Commissaryorders are collected by the Housing Unit Officers the evening before the delivery date on the posted schedule in the housing unit. Commissary purchases may not exceed $75 in a given week. All items available for purchase are subject to limitations imposed by the escrow vendor. Orders received from inmates with insufficient funds will not be processed.
Delivery
Inmates must check to see that they have received all ordered items in the presence of the issuing staff memberat the time of delivery. Any discrepancies must be reported immediately. Inmates will sign a form acknowledging receipt of their order. The Department of Corrections is not responsible for lost or stolen items after the inmate acknowledges receipt. Any commissary discrepancies must be submitted by the inmate on an Inmate Request Form to the Commissary Manager for review and investigation.
iCare Packages
As an alternative to depositing funds for commissary into an inmate's account, family and friends may choose to place online orders of selected packages through the iCare website. Orders processed will be delivered to the inmate according to their regularly scheduled commissary delivery date.
Emergency Orders
New inmates can submit a one time only emergency order within the first five days of admission to the facility. Emergency orders will be delivered on the next available food and hygiene commissary day.
Inmates who have $2 or less in their escrow account for seven consecutive days, qualify as an indigent inmate and can request an indigent package by submitting an Inmate Request Form number 118 to the Housing Unit Officer. Upon approval, inmates may receive the following items every seven days:
- One deodorant
- One toothbrush and one toothpaste
- One pencil
- Two stamped-envelopes
- Writing paper
Medical Services
The Department of Corrections (BCDC) provides comprehensive medical, dental and psychiatric services for all inmates.
- For medical issues ormore information—Contact the Medical Liaison at410-512-3310.
- For immediate inmate medical care—Inform the Housing Unit Officer immediately. Inmates will be escorted to the Medical Department by an officer, or if warranted, medical staff will report to the unit where the inmate is housed.
- Health screening and physical upon admission.
- A contractual medical staff of over 50 full-time qualified health care professionals.
- A medical observation unit to keep a close watch on anyone with serious medical conditions.
- Chronic Care clinics operated by our physician and physician assistants for inmates with chronic conditions such as diabetes, AIDS, asthma, etc.
- A team of psychiatrists and other mental health staff to address the mental health needs of the inmates.
- In-house specialty clinics include:
- Dentistry
- Oral surgery
- Optometry
- X-ray services
- OB-GYN care.
- If hospitalization or outpatient care is needed, inmates are sent to area hospitals or to specialized outpatient treatment facilities.
- Sick Call is provided six days per week. Sick call boxes are located on every housing unit. Inmates may submit Sick Call slips when needed. They are picked up daily and medical staff will see the inmate within 24 hours. There is a $4 charge for sick call for all inmates who have money in their accounts. However, nobody is ever denied medical care because they are unable to pay.
- At intake screening,the inmate must carefully report all medications that he or she is taking.
- The medical staff will try to obtain a list of medications from an inmate’s previous medical provider.
- A relative can help ensure continuation of medications when possible by having the inmate’s medical provider fax the medical information to the Medical Records Department. Thefax number is 410-823-0453.
- Medications that an inmate brings to the Detention Center are not used and are placed in his property envelope and returned upon release, because there is a full pharmacy service for the provision of all medications needed, and the department’s medical contractor will provide all medications to the inmate.
- Medications are provided daily at various times, as prescribed.
All mail must be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or other approved mail carriers and must follow specific guidelines to be accepted. The following information must be included on the outside envelope for all inmate mail:
Inmate’s Name and Identification Number
Baltimore County Department of Corrections
720 Bosley Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
To obtain an inmate’s ID number, or if you have questions about these guidelines, call our security desk at 410-512-3200 and press “0” to speak with an operator.
- Privileges—Mail privileges will be denied only if restricted by court order.
- Volume—There is no restriction on the volume of mail an inmate may receive. However, inmates may retain only the mail that can be neatly stored in their property container. Mail that will not fit in the inmate’s property container shall be placed in excess property.
- Legal mail—Will be opened and inspected by correctional staff in the presence of the inmate.
- Incoming non-legal mail—Will be opened and inspected for contraband.
- Incoming or outgoing mail—Will not be read or rejected unless there is probable cause to believe the contents are a threat to the order and security of the facility or that the mail is being used for illegal activity. The Director or designee may order the mail to be opened and inspected.
- Mail forreleased or transferred inmates—Will be returned to sender.
- Inmates May Not
- Correspond with each other without the approval of the Director.
- Engage in contracts by mail on a delayed billing basis.
- Engage in criminal activities via the mail. Thesewill be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Acceptable Items
- Photographs (no Polaroids) and written or typed letters
- Books sent through the mail directly from the publisher will be accepted, inspected, and delivered to the inmate if appropriate.
- Religious reading materials from the Chaplain or designee or through the mail when they are sent directly from the publisher.
Prohibited Items
Mail containing unauthorized items will be returned to sender in its entirety.The following mail is prohibited and will not be accepted:
- Items larger than 11.5 by 14 inches
- Packages arriving in the mail without prior approval
- Polaroid photographs
- Pages from coloring books, crossword books, activity books, etc.
- Magazines, newspapersand photocopies of publications
- Greeting cards or cardstock of any nature
- Calling cards, bank cards, prepaid phone cards, money cards, identification cards or playing cards
- Books that are not received directly from the publisher, i.e. bookstores or other sources
- Mail containing tape, stickers, watercolors, wax, crayons, correctional fluid, or other foreign substances
- Sexually graphic material
- Publications promoting violent acts, gang activities, or detailing security-threatening information, i.e., manufacturing weapons or intoxicants, organizing disturbances, etc.
- Mail with incomplete information such as name, return address, etc.
- Packages not approved will be returned to sender
Family Emergencies
We at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections understand that family emergencies may arise at any time. In the event of a family emergency such as death or hospitalization of a family member, call the Shift Commander at 410-512-3305. We will need the appropriate contact name and phone number to verify the information.
Inmates are not permitted to attend funerals unless court ordered by a judge. An inmate may be permitted to attend a private viewing if approved by the agency and the sentencing or administrative judge.
Personal Property
All accepted inmate property is securely stored within the Detention Center.
Inmates arriving at the facility with excess property that is not allowed are required to release the property within 30 days. Inmates may release property to anyone except other inmates. To release property, an inmate must complete and sign an Inmate Property Release Form. Property may be released during normal visiting hours while the inmate is still incarcerated.
The Detention Center does not accept court clothing for inmates who are scheduled to appear in Circuit Court. Court clothing for inmates scheduled for District Court is accepted:
| Days | Times |
|---|---|
| Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays |
|
Guidelines
- Court clothing will be exchanged item for item within one month of the inmate's scheduled court appearance. The Shift Captain may authorize additional court clothing exchanges for inmates who have multiple appearances scheduled for the same court.
- Clothing must follow the rules for Court Clothes.
- Clothing for "sentenced" inmates may be exchanged prior to release.
- Jackets will be accepted during thewinter months for inmates incarcerated during the summer months.
- Persons delivering court clothing must have valid identification.
- Inmates will be required to sign for items received and released.
Unacceptable Attire
The following items will not be accepted from visitors as court clothing for inmates:
- Jeans/denim jackets/pants
- Athletic shoes
- Garments with holes or stains
- Bulky coats with filling
- Items that appear to have been tampered with or altered
- For Transfers—Fill out a Property Control Transfer Form and have 30 days for someone to pick up the property before it is disposed of.
- For Releases—Inmates will receive their property as they leave the Detention Center. Inmates that have already been released have 30 days to pick up their property during normal visiting hours at the front lobby with a valid proper ID.
- For Confiscated or Unaccepted Property—Contact the Baltimore County Police Department HQ located at 700 East Joppa Road Towson, Maryland21286 to retrieve their property. The Property Room can be reached at 410-887-2276.
Releases
Inmates are released after all legal documentation has been checked and verified.Inmates may be released from the Detention Center in several different ways.
Most inmates are afforded an opportunity to place a local phone call before leaving the Detention Center to arrange transportation home. Inmates may also be provided a local bus token if they cannot pay for transportation. Inmates being sent to another agency will not receive a phone call before they leave due to security reasons.
- Time Served—An inmate’s sentence has expired and he/she has no outstanding charges or detainers.
- Court Release—While at court, an inmate is released by order of the judge.
- Bail Release—An inmate who has a bail or fine with no other outstanding charges, warrants, sentences, or detainers may have someone pay the bail, which is an amount of money that must be posted to the court to “secure” the defendant’s return to court, and be released.Persons who have been arrested and are committed to the Detention Center by a District Court Commissioner will have a bail review hearing before a judge on the next day the Court is in session. District Court bail reviews are conducted electronically in the Detention Center via closed circuit television at noon each business day the court is in session. At bail review, the judge will decide whether to release the inmate pending trial and on what conditions. To assist the judge in making that decision, a Pretrial Investigator will present a report summarizing information provided by the inmate and verified by references, and his or her criminal history. If he or she appears in court as required, the bail is refunded when the case is over. If the defendant fails to appear, the bail is forfeited and a warrant is issued for his or her arrest.
- Other Agencies—An inmate is released to another agency that has lodged a detainer, charge, or warrant for that inmate.
- DOC—An inmate has been sentenced to the Maryland Division of Correction and is awaiting transfer there.
Request VictimNotification of Inmate Release
If you are a victim of a crime that would like to be notified when an inmate is released, call the State’s Attorney’s Office at 410-512-6600 or our Records Unit at 410-512-3422.
Request Proof of Former Incarceration
Former inmates and individuals acting on their behalf can obtain anIncarceration Verification Form at the Detention Center.
Former inmates must follow the below process:
- Report to the Baltimore County Department of Corrections in person. Bring the following with you.mate.
- Temporary Baltimore County Department of Corrections issued ID (these are only valid for 15 days from the issue date), or a valid photo ID issued by a government or state agency
- Their current address
- Telephone number
- The information will be reviewed and verified.
- The pertinent document will be generated and given to the former inmate.
Inmates who are incarcerated, may also have an individual retrieve this information. That person will:
- Complete a waiver form.
- Provide a valid photo ID issued by a government or state agency, as well asa current address and telephone number.Photo IDs will be accepted or denied at the discretion of the facility.
- The waiver will be taken to the inmate for their signature and approval.
- If the inmate denies the request, it will not be granted.
