Worcester County Detention Center

Worcester County Detention Center Information

Life Inside Worcester County Detention Center: A Look at the Facility and Inmate Experience

Over the last 20 years, incarceration rates in America have skyrocketed, with over 2 million people currently behind bars. This growth has led to overcrowding and resource strain on jails and prisons across the country. One such facility dealing with these challenges is the Worcester County Detention Center in Snow Hill, Maryland. Opened in 1982 and run by Worcester County officials, this jail houses pretrial and sentenced detainees of various security levels. Let’s take a closer look at day-to-day life inside the Worcester County Detention Center. 

Overview of the Facility's Physical Structure

The Worcester County Detention Center sits on a 7-acre site surrounded by tall chain link fences topped with barbed wire. A single-story brick building makes up the main facility, containing over 135,000 square feet of space. The public entrance opens into a lobby area with a visitation section containing 12 non-contact visitation stations and 4 private attorney booths. This leads into the administration section with offices for the warden and other officials, as well as a central control room that monitors all access points.  

Beyond central control, the secure detention area is reached through an electronically controlled sally port. This main section has 5 medium security cell blocks made up of two-level units with 16 single or double occupancy cells each, holding around 32 inmates per unit. The cells contain bunks, sink/toilet combos, desks and storage space. Two maximum security cell blocks hold higher risk inmates in bar-front cells with similar furnishings. The minimum security unit is a dormitory-style space with 32 beds and adjacent dayroom. 

The female cell block has 7 medium security cells, while the separate work release annex houses 62 county and work program inmates in a modular dorm layout. Added in 2000, this annex connects via an enclosed walkway but can also be accessed through the main jail if needed. 

Medical facilities include exam rooms, isolation cells, and a pharmacy. The kitchen provides approximately 1100 meals per day. Programs and classroom areas offer workforce development courses and addiction counseling. Indoor and outdoor recreation spaces provide exercise opportunities. Services like laundry, maintenance, storage, and commissary operate out of additional designated zones.

Major expansions in 2000 and 2010 increased the jail's capacity and upgraded systems. The 64,000 square foot addition in 2010 allowed for more housing units, new medical wing, classrooms and improved security capabilities. Outdoor recreation yards were also added for each cell block.  

Daily Life for Inmates 

Daily routines at Worcester County Detention Center follow strict schedules shaped by an inmate's security level and housing assignment. Lower risk inmates may work jobs maintaining the facility or participate in education or vocational programs. Maximum security populations have much less freedom and recreation time.

Mornings start early with breakfast around 5am. Inmates spend mornings in their cells or dorms until first recreation time mid-morning. Lunch is served around 11am. Afternoons rotate between more recreation time, programs, work duties, phone privileges and cell time. Dinner is served around 5pm, followed by lights out at 11pm.

Cells in the various units provide basic amenities like bunks, toilet/sink combos and desks. Showers are communal. Each cell block has a dayroom area with seating, tables and phones. The minimum security dorm features more freedoms and less locked down time. Perks like access to the library, TV room or outdoor rec yard depend on an inmate's status. Commissary allows purchasing of snacks, hygiene items and other approved goods.

Population Statistics and Notable History

With the expansions over the last 20 years, Worcester County Detention Center now has space for over 500 inmates. The average daily population hovers between 350-400 prisoners. Approximately 90% of detainees are male. 

Along with increased capacity, the jail's security and surveillance systems have been consistently upgraded. More cameras were added in 2010 along with a robust digital monitoring network. Central control manages all access points, doors and alerts. Newer technologies help keep the facility secure.

Oversight and Standards 

As a county government entity, the detention center is owned and operated by Worcester County. However, their relationship with ICE brings additional oversight. ICE deportation officers are assigned to manage and monitor populations of immigrant detainees.

The National Detention Standards serve as the main guidelines for operations and conditions. Annual reviews assess compliance with these standards related to facilities, treatment, grievance systems and reporting. 

Contact Information and Visitation

Friends or family members looking to visit an inmate at Worcester County Detention Center can call 410-219-7600 to get details on the visitation process. The address is 5022 Joyner Rd, Snow Hill, MD 21863.

Visitation hours are:

- Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30am - 11:30am, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am - 11:30am, 1:00pm - 3:30pm 

Government-issued ID is required and visits are limited to 30 minutes. Attorneys can arrange visits on other days by contacting the facility in advance.

PREA Sexual Assault Prevention

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law passed in 2003 to establish standards for preventing, detecting and responding to sexual abuse in detention facilities. Worcester County Detention Center has a zero tolerance policy for such assaults.

Inmates can report abuse to staff anonymously. Allegations trigger an immediate investigation in conjunction with ICE representatives. Worcester County provides annual aggregated sexual abuse data to authorities while protecting victim identities.  

Conclusion

While certainly no vacation spot, Worcester County Detention Center aims to provide safe and humane confinement for its detainees. Strict oversight and evolving policies seek to ensure decent conditions for these wards of the state. Still, liberty loss exacts a heavy toll on inmates and families alike. The broader failings of America's prison system remain on full display.

Frequently Asked Questions

**What is the capacity of Worcester County Detention Center?**

With expansions over the past 20 years, the jail now has capacity for over 500 inmates.

**What are the visitation rules?** 

Visitation is allowed Tuesday-Thursday and weekends. Visitors must show ID and visits are limited to 30 minutes.

**What standards does the facility follow?**

Operations align with the ICE National Detention Standards related to conditions, grievances, and reporting. 

**How can I send money to an inmate?** 

You can deposit money in an inmate's account by using the facility's online payment system or mailing a money order. 

**How do inmates contact family and friends?**

Inmates can make collect calls from phones located in the housing unit dayrooms. Frequency depends on security status.

**What amenities and services are offered?**

Amenities include library, TV room, commissary, education programs, and recreation. Medical, food, laundry and maintenance services are provided.

**What security measures are in place?**

Fences, cameras, screening, controlled access points, and patrols ensure the security of the facility.

Phone: 410-219-7600

Physical Address:
Worcester County Detention Center
5022 Joyner Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Worcester County Detention Center
5022 Joyner Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863

Other Jails and Prisons

Search Worcester County Detention Center Inmates

Search Worcester County Detention Center Inmates

How Do You Find Someone in the Worcester County Detention Center?

How to Find Someone in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainee Locator

When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE. 

Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.

However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.


There are two ways to search for an ICE Detainee:

You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.

  • An A-Number is a 9-digit number that either looks like this: A-123456789, or like this 123-456-789. This is required if you do not know their name.
    It is also called a Registration Number when on a visa, or a USCIS# when on a Green Card.
    If for whatever reason the A-Number you have does not have 9-digits, you need to add 0s (zeroes) to the front of the number until the number has 9-digits.

    That number might then look like this:  001234567.


You can also try and look them up by using their name.

  • In order for this to be effective, you need to have the exact name that is either on their paperwork, or the the name with the exact spelling that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • You also need to know the country of their birth, or the country of their birth that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • Knowing their Date of Birth is helpful but not required to find them in the system.


Important things to know about using the ICE Detainee Locator

  • You do not need to set up an account to use the Detainee Locator System.
  • A-Number stands for 'Alien Registration Number'.
  • The System does not have information on all detainees in custody.
  • Juvenile names are NOT in the System.
  • The Detainee Locator System is updated every 8 hours, sometimes sooner.
  • If the detainee is being moved to a new facility, the new location will not be shown until they have arrived and are processed. 
  • No warnings or prior notice are given in advance of a detainee being moved.
  • While being transferred to a different facility they may still be shown online as being in the original facility.
  • If you are planning a visit, always call before you come to confirm the detainee is still at the facility and has not been moved.
  • To visit a detainee you must have some type of government issued photo ID, or other identification when photo identification is unavailable for religious reasons.
  • If you are unable to find the detainee using the System, contact the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the area where you believe the person's immigration case was initiated or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) at 888-351-4024.

Pamphlets in various languages with Instructions on how to use the Online Detainee Locator System:

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Directions / Map to the Worcester County Detention Center
Understanding US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

What is an ICE Detention Center?

Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.

Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.

What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?

ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.

Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:

The illegal immigrant has:

  • committed a crime, or multiple crimes
  • arrived at the border without a visa prior to formally applying for asylum or refugee status
  • an outstanding removal (deportation) order on record, either pending or past due, or
  • missed prior immigration hearing dates.

 

How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?

The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.

It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.

The information you will need is as follows:

  • the person’s full name as it appears in the ICE System. The exact spelling and the order of how the name is listed is required.
  • the person’s date of birth
  • the person’s country of birth

If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.

If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.

If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.

Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.

Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.

The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.

If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.

Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.

How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?

The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.

This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.

Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?

The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.

If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.

What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?

(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)

  • Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude (see list). This includes any attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime. It does not include crimes that were committed that the illegal immigrant committed when they were under the age of 18 years, however the person must have been released from jail more than five years before applying for a visa or other immigration benefit. It also does not include crimes for which the maximum penalty did not exceed one year in prison and the person was not, in fact, sentenced to more than six months in prison.
  • Conviction or admission of a controlled substance violation, whether under U.S. or foreign law. This includes any conspiracy to commit such a crime.
  • Convictions for two or more crimes (other than purely political ones) for which the prison sentences totaled at least five years. This multiple-offense ground of inadmissibility applies whether or not the convictions came from a single trial and whether or not the offenses arose from a single scheme of misconduct or involved moral turpitude.
  • Conviction of or participation in (according to the reasonable belief of the U.S. government) controlled substance trafficking. This includes anyone who knowingly aided, abetted, assisted, conspired, or colluded in illicit drug trafficking. It also includes the spouse, son, or daughter of the inadmissible applicant if that person has, within the last five years, received any financial or other benefit from the illicit activities, and knew or reasonably should have known where the money or benefit came from.
  • Having the purpose of engaging in prostitution or commercialized vice upon coming to the United States, or a history, within the previous ten years, of having engaged in prostitution.
  • Procurement or attempted procurement or importation of prostitutes, directly or indirectly, or receipt of proceeds of prostitution, any of which occurred within the previous ten years.
  • Assertion of immunity from prosecution after committing a serious criminal offense in the U.S., if the person was thus able to depart the U.S. and has not since submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the relevant U.S. Court.
  • Commission of particularly severe violations of religious freedom while serving as a foreign government official.
  • Commission of or conspiracy to commit human trafficking offenses, within or outside the U.S., or being a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with such a trafficker according to the knowledge or reasonable belief of the U.S. government. Also inadmissible are the spouse, son, or daughter the applicant if they, within the previous five years (but when older than children), received financial or other benefits from the illicit activity and knew or reasonably should have known that the money or other benefit came from the illicit activity.
  • Conviction of an aggravated felony, if the person was removed from the U.S. and seeks to return (this ground of inadmissibility lasts for 20 years)
  • Seeking to enter the U.S. to engage in money laundering, or a history of having laundered money, or having been (according to the knowledge of the U.S. government) a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with money launderers.

These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.

Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?

If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.

The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).

Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.

Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.

Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.

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This facility, known as "Worcester County Detention Center" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.