Skip to Main Content

INMATE VISITATION SERVICES

OVERVIEW 

Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS)  views visitation as a privilege that is an important part of inmate development and case management. DPSCS reserves the right to manage this privilege effectively through procedures that ensure the safety and security of our institutions, employees, members of the public, and inmates.

COVID-19 & IN-PERSON SOCIAL VISITATION

Effective July 19, 2021, Maryland DPSCS will begin Phase 1 of reinstituting in-person social visitation with inmates, using newly instated COVID-19 protocols and policies. 

PHASE 1, IN-PERSON SOCIAL VISITS – GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

  • Individuals must be on the inmate’s Approved Visitor List;
  • Individuals must be 12 years of age or older; 
  • Individuals must be fully vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and provide proof of vaccination;
    • Proof of vaccination means the signed CDC Vaccination Card you received at the time of your vaccination; 
  • Inmates are required to be vaccinated prior to receiving an in-person visitation;
    • Inmates who are currently quarantined or in medical isolation may not participate in in-person visitation, but may participate in Virtual Visits (see below).

Individuals who are not yet vaccinated but wish to visit with a family member, friend, or loved one may participate in Virtual Visits (see below).

PHASE 1, IN-PERSON SOCIAL VISITS – ADDITIONAL RULES

  • An inmate may only receive two visitors during a scheduled visit;
  • Visits are by appointment only;
  • Visitors must wear a surgical or cloth face mask at all times during the visit – No gaiters, scarfs, or bandanas are permitted;
  • Visitors must participate in front entry COVID-19 protocols, to include a questionnaire and temperature screening; and
  • Visitors must comply with social distancing requirements and remain 6 feet from the inmate and other visitors not in your group.

NOTE: Any visitor that does not comply with the required procedures shall be denied entry and their visit will be forfeited. 

PHASE 1, IN-PERSON SOCIAL VISITS – APPOINTMENTS

Each correctional facility will establish a visitation schedule that allows employees, inmates, and visitors to maintain social distancing requirements. 

  • Visitor registration for a scheduled visitation day will begin seven (7) days prior to the visit and will close three (3) before the visit.
  • Due to the limited availability of appointments, visits will be approved on a first come, first scheduled basis.
  • Managing officials will determine the length of a regular in-person visit;
    • Managing officials may not approve regular in-person visits for a period longer than one (1) hour;
  • Visiting areas will be cleaned and disinfected in between scheduled visits.
  • Visitors arriving at the correctional facility more than 30 minutes past the scheduled appointment time will be denied entry for that day.

To schedule an in-person visit at a DPSCS correctional facility, please click here and follow the instructions to email your in-person social visitation request. You will receive a confirmation email in response to your request for an in-person visit.

If you have any questions  please contact the Maryland DPSCS COVID-19 Hotline at 410.724.5722.

PHASE 1, IN-PERSON SOCIAL VISITS – GENERAL RULES

All general rules for in-person visitation still apply. 

See the Visitation Program Rules & Information section below.

VIRTUAL SOCIAL VISITATION SERVICES

In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic where travel restrictions and social distancing is helping keep society healthy, Maryland 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, Maryland DPSCS will replace the software and service Skype with Microsoft Teams for all virtual social  visitations. Visitors must complete the DPSCS Video Visitation Form prior to participating in a virtual visitation. 

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

For instructions to access Microsoft Teams, please click here. 

SOCIAL VISITATION PROGRAM RULES & INFORMATION

SOCIAL VISITATION RULES

INMATES  

Must serve  a minimum of 30 days before qualifying for visitation.

VISITORS

  • Must be on the inmate’s Approved Visitor List.
  • Must comply with the Department’s visitor dress code (see below).
  • Must comply with all posted correctional facility policies and rules.
  • Must comply with directions from Department employees.
  • Must not be a fugitive from any federal, state or local criminal justice agency.
  • Must not have any open warrants for arrest.
  • Must not be under the supervision of the Division of Parole and Probation or currently on home detention.
  • Must not pose a threat to the safety and security of the facility, an inmate, employees, or other visitors.
  • Must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Who are 16 years or older must present a valid state-issued photo identification.
  • Must consent to and pass security protocols for entry to the facility. This may include a frisk search.
  • Must comply with age requirements:
    • 19 years of age and older – must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
    • 18 years of age or younger – must be immediate family to the inmate or adult visitor.

VISITOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Failure to comply with the following behaviors  will result in immediate termination of the visit.

ANY VISITOR VISITING A MARYLAND DPSCS INMATE MUST:

  • Follow all of the facility’s posted visitation rules.
  • Comply with all directions given by correctional employees.
  • Wear the appropriate visitor’s badge visibly at all times.
  • Keep hands in plain sight and on top of the table at all times.

ANY VISITOR VISITING A MARYLAND DPSCS INMATE MUST NOT:

  • Possess and/or attempt to bring contraband (see below)  into the facility. The following list of items are prohibited:
    • Cell phones; 
    • Electronic devices;
    • Jewelry, includes watches;
    • Tobacco products; and
    • Alcohol-based beverages and products (hand-sanitizer will be available in the facility);
  • Allow any item, object, or child to be passed between the visitor and the inmate;
  • Be overly physical with an inmate during a contact visit;
  • Be verbally or physically disruptive during the visit;
  • Refuse to be searched;
  • Carry any item into the visiting area with the exception of:
    • A fast-acting rescue medication to treat a life-threatening medical condition; and
    • Up to $10.00 cash in $1.00 bills, only if the visiting area contains a vending machine. 

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISITORS:

  • Any visitor who leaves the visitation area to use the restroom will not be allowed to return to the room during that visit.
  • Any visitor who is found with contraband in their possession may be subject to criminal prosecution.
  • Any visitor who refuses to be searched or refuses to permit a search of their possessions shall not be allowed to enter the facility.
  • Any visitor who refuses to submit to fingerprint identification shall not be allowed to enter the facility.
  • Any visitor who is verbally or physically disruptive during the visit shall be removed from the facility and may be prohibited from returning. 

VISITOR DRESS CODE

Any visitor visiting a Maryland DPSCS inmate must dress appropriately for all inmate visits, including virtual visitation.

The following clothing items are not permitted to be worn when visiting an inmate:

  • Tube tops
  • Tank tops
  • Halter tops
  • See-through clothing
  • Miniskirts
  • Mini-dresses
  • Shorts
  • Skorts
  • Culottes (at or above kneecap)
  • Form fitting clothing includes: leotards, spandex, and leggings
  • Clothes that expose a person’s midriff, side, or back
  • Tops or dresses that have revealing necklines and excessive splits or both
  • Jewelry
    • includes: tongue, ear, facial, and body piercings
    • excludes: a wedding ring, wedding band, or medical alert tag

SOCIAL VISITATION AND CONTRABAND CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS

Pursuant to Maryland’s Criminal Law Article, § 9-410 and § 9-412 through § 9-417, it is unlawful for a person to possess, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver contraband in a place of confinement. Such items include but are not limited to telecommunication devices, contraband to effect an escape, weapons of any type, alcoholic beverages, controlled dangerous substances, and tobacco.

It is unlawful for a person to deposit or conceal a telecommunication device in or about a place of confinement with the intent that it be obtained by a person detained or confined.

Violators are subject to arrest and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Upon conviction, violators are subject to imprisonment from periods of 3 to 10 years, fines of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.

“Contraband” means an item, material, substance, or other thing that:

  • Is not authorized for inmate possession by a managing official;
  • Is not permitted in a correctional facility as established by statute, regulation or prohibited by the managing official; or
  • Is brought into a correctional facility in a manner prohibited by the managing official.

“Contraband” includes but is not limited to:

  • An alcoholic beverage;
  • A controlled dangerous substance;
  • A cellular phone or unauthorized telecommunication device; and
  • A weapon. 
doit-ewspw-W01