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COVID-19 Reopening Phase II


A Public Safety and Prince George’s County Partnership Creates
New Possibilities for Reentry

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and the Prince George’s County Returning Citizens Division partnered with the Bridge Center at Adams House in Prince George’s County to host a groundbreaking reentry event on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. The event served as the first ever multiple-location virtual reentry services fair for individuals who are incarcerated and was attended by 26 individuals who are incarcerated in seven different male and female correctional facilities across the State of Maryland. The landmark event allowed the participants, who are close to returning home to Prince George’s County, the opportunity to learn about, and sign up for services before their release. See Full Press Release


DPSCS Employee Resources For DOL Investigation... Click here



 

COVID-19

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is committed to protecting the health and well being of our staff, inmates, and detainees who live and work in our facilities. DPSCS, in conjunction with Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), are closely monitoring developments associated with COVID-19. DPSCS is prepared to handle any potential cases of COVID-19 within the state-operated correctional institutions in Maryland.

The Department is committed to protecting the health of inmates and staff. The Department’s leadership team continues to monitor the data regarding the spread of COVID-19 across its system and within Maryland communities. The need to modify operations and inmate movement may vary and change at any given time based on the need and/or severity of the health situation as indicated by the COVID-19 data and/or recommendations of the Maryland Department of Health. 


    Maryland House Bill 222 – Effective June 1, 2021

    Maryland House Bill 222 requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) to provide each individual who is released from a correctional facility with a voter registration application and documentation informing the individual that their voting rights have been restored.


    MD State Prisons Implement Video Visitation

    In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic where travel restrictions and social distancing is helping keep society healthy, Maryland’s  Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) has developed a solution to ensure our inmate and detainee population has the means for virtual visitations (video and audio) with their support network (family, friends, loved ones, etc.).

    Effective immediately, the DPSCS will replace the service Skype with Microsoft Teams services for all virtual visitations.

    Virtual visitation is a free service being offered to eligible inmates and authorized visitors.

    For instructions to access Microsoft Teams, please click here


    9-1-1
Call if you can
Text if you cant

    Customers of the four major wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) who are enrolled in their carriers’ text messaging and/or data plan can send text messages to 911 in an emergency when they are unable to place a phone call. This includes those who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech impaired, those who may find themselves in a situation where placing a voice call could put them in danger, or those who are experiencing a medical emergency and are unable to speak.

    If you are in need of emergency services and unable to place a phone call, you can enter 911 in the “To” line of a new text message and begin your message with the location of the emergency and the type of help needed—police, fire, or emergency medical services. Once the message has been received at the 911 call center, a 911 specialist will respond. You should be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions.

    Additional tips for using text-to-911 service:

    • As with all text messages, messages to 911 may take longer to receive, may be received out of order, and/or may not be received at all
    • If text-to-911 service in not available, you will receive a bounce back message from your carrier telling you to place a phone or relay call instead
    • Photos and videos cannot be received by 911 call centers
    • English is the preferred language for text messaging, though some limited translation services may be available in your area
    • Keep text messages short and simple, and avoid using slang or abbreviations
    • Including an additional contact on your text message may prevent it from being received by 911
    • Call if you can, text if you can’t
    • Do not text and drive

    Send Care Packages to Your Loved Ones Through Access Securepak!

    Through Access Securepak, you can customize care packages to be delivered to your loved ones within our system. Securepak offers a variety of necessities such as hygiene products while also allowing the option to select and send various snacks and products. You are in complete control and customize the packages to fit your loved one’s needs. Click the link below to find out more and get started!


    Access Corrections Secure Deposits is the fastest, most convenient way to deposit funds into your loved one’s account!



    We Want You: Why Now is the Time to Start Your Career as a Correctional Officer

    Officers taking the oath.

    “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” – John F. Kennedy

    One of the most constant components in life is change. Change can come in many forms and be caused by a variety of factors such as physical environments, demographics, economics or politics.

    And as former U.S. President John F. Kennedy said, change is inevitable. It is how you harness that change that can predicate your future – especially when it comes to your career.

    If you’re considering a career change where you can make a positive impact on your community and on individual lives, then the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MDPSCS) is for you.

    As one of the largest state agencies in Maryland, the MDPSCS employs more than 11,000 dedicated individuals that oversee 19 correctional institutions and 42 community supervision offices.


    ***ALERT***

    The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has been made aware  that members of the public are receiving phones calls indicating that a loved one has been taken into our custody and a fee was necessary to ensure their release.  The caller indicates that money should be sent through Western Union.

    While the caller is using the same institution name with each phone call, please note that no time will you be asked to send money via Western Union from any of our detention facilities or institutions.

    The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services continues to investigate circumstances surrounding these phone calls.

     
     
     

    STOP FRAUD IN STATE GOVERMENT
    HOTLINE:

    24/7 AVAILABILITY

    877-372-8311

    WWW.OLA.STATE.MD.US

    REPORT ISSUES SUCH AS:

    FRAUD | MISUE OR ABUSE OF RESOURCES | THEFT | CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | CORRUPTION | VIOLATIONS OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS | VENDOR KICKBACKS

    Human Trafficking
    GET HELP

     

    National Human Trafficking Hotline — 24/7 Confidential

    Call: 1-888-373-7888
    Text: 233733
    For more information on human trafficking in Maryland click here.
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