290/Maryland Manual

The staff of the Division of Correction plans,
establishes, and directs programs of administration
for State correctional facilities. The institutions
carry on programs of classification, education,
vocational training, employment, substance abuse
counseling, psychological/psychiatric intervention,
security, and all necessary support services for
residential housing.

The institutions and pre-release units have well-
developed programs of employment. Inmates are
assigned to a wide variety of institutional mainte-
nance tasks, as well as to the diversified State Use
Industries Program. Opportunities for the develop-
ment and reactivation of useful and economically
profitable occupational skills are available. These
programs also provide necessary goods and ser-
vices to the public agencies eligible to purchase
them. Several institutions operate laundries which
serve both the institutions and other State facilities.

By Chapter 285, Acts of 1963, the Work Release
Program was established. Prisoners sentenced to
an institution under the jurisdiction of the Division
of Correction may leave actual confinement during
necessary and reasonable hours to work at gainful
employment in the community. They return to the
institution at the end of the work day. Chapter
551, Acts of 1968, extended this privilege to
include attendance at school as part of a Work
Release Program. Under certain conditions, the
Commissioner of Correction may authorize special
leave for prisoners to seek employment or partici-
pate in special community rehabilitation programs.
Weekend leaves also may be granted under certain
conditions (Code 1957, Art. 27, secs. 700A, 700C).

The institutions provide educational activities
including academic instruction on both elementary
and secondary school levels, varied opportunities
for advanced and specialized study, and vocational
and on-the-job training programs. Pre-release fa-
cilities offer instruction that prepares inmates to
obtain high school equivalency certificates.

Chapter 535, Acts of 1980, provided that a
county or counties deciding to build or maintain a
regional detention center may apply to the Com-
missioner of Correction for financial aid to con-
struct or enlarge the facility. When the Commis-
sioner approves county construction plans, the
State pays part of the costs. The Commissioner,
when he approves plans which require financial
assistance, enters into written agreement with the
county or counties involved setting forth the rights,
powers, duties and responsibilities of all parties. A
convicted offender may be sentenced to a regional
detention center, if the sentence is for period of not
more than 18 months.

Chapter 464, Acts of 1972, provided for the
establishment of Community Correctional Centers.
Chapter 234, Acts of 1976, renamed them Com-
munity Adult Rehabilitation Centers (CARC). By
this Act, the Secretary of Public Safety and
Correctional Services, with the assistance and
advice of the Commissioner, evaluates and deter-
mines the need for one or more community adult
rehabilitation centers in each county or multi-
region of the State. Effective July 1978, the com-
munity adult rehabilitation centers were placed
under the Correctional Pre-Release System as pre-
release units.

By Chapter 534, Acts of 1980, when the Secre-
tary of Public Safety and Correctional Services
establishes the need for a CARC, the State pays
costs associated with the start-up of the CARC.
These costs are determined by agreement between
the Secretary and the jurisdiction where the
CARC is to be located. The Secretary, with the
advice of the Commission on Correctional Stan-
dards, sets minimum standards for the Centers.

RECEPTION, DIAGNOSTIC AND
CLASSIFICATION CENTER

Merry Coplin, Warden

550 Madison St.
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 332-0970

The Reception, Diagnostic and Classification
Center for male inmates was established in 1967
(Chapter 695, Acts of 1967). Inmates at the Center
are diagnostically evaluated, classified, and as-
signed to an institution of the Division of Correc-
tion. The Center has a rated capacity of 400
inmates (Code 1957, Art. 27, secs. 689(g)-700(a)).

MARYLAND PENITENTIARY

Howard N. Lyies, Warden

954 Forrest St.
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 837-2135

The Maryland Penitentiary, authorized by Reso-
lution No. 32, Acts of 1804, and opened in 1811,
was the second institution of its type established in
the United States. It is Maryland's oldest State
prison. The Penitentiary is a maximum security
institution for the confinement of long-term pris-
oners. In 1829 buildings containing workshops
were constructed, thereby permitting the establish-
ment of industrial activities. In 1845 an education-
al program was introduced, with the prison's
chaplains teaching the inmates. Over the years a
great deal of construction and demolition has