Central Home Detention Unit

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services maintains a searchable public database of all of the inmates they have in custody.

The prison that an inmate is assigned to depends on factors such as security classification, remaining time of their sentence, gang affiliation, and location of their residence.

The Maryland State Prison System began in 1811 with the establishment of the Maryland Penitentiary in Baltimore.

Today the state of Maryland Prison System maintains 24 adult correctional facilities.

With a staff of 10,000 correctional workers, as of the end of 2023 they oversee approximately 16,000 inmates, including 12,000 on parole, supervised release or absconded.

The following will explain the instructions, tricks and hacks you can use to find any inmate in custody with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Inmate Search Instructions

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services provides a limited amount of information you may want to know about any inmate in their system, however they do list every inmate. 

There are multiple ways to look up an inmate in Maryland.

• You can list all inmates who share the same first letter of their last name.
• You can list all inmates who share the same first letter of their first name.
• You can list all inmates who share the same last name.
• You can list all inmates who share the same first name

The first set of results will list their Name and Date of Birth.
Click on the linked Inmate Name to get to the inmate's page.  

The Maryland DOC inmate's page has no information other than the facility they are housed in and their Inmate ID #. There are no mugshots.

There are multiple ways to add money to an inmate's account at Central Home Detention Unit, using Access Corrections Secure Deposits

1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Jail Lobby Kiosk - Kiosks accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
4. Mail-in Lockbox - Friends or Family who do not have a credit or debit card can mail money orders to their secure lockbox to make deposits to an inmate’s account. Depositors use a customized form that captures all needed information. Upon receipt, they process and post the deposits to the inmate's trust fund in approximately 48 hours, however deposits exceeding $250 are held for 30 days.

What information is required on the money order?
The Incarcerated Individual's Name, Facility Name or Abbreviation, Incarcerated Individual's State Identification # (SID), Sender's correct Name and Address.

The money order is made payable to the Incarcerated Individual as shown above.  No aka's or nicknames accepted. Please print and use black or blue ink pen only.  

What is the address to send money orders to for Lockbox facilities?
P.O. Box 17111
Baltimore, MD 21297-0382

Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits".
Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders.

5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Go to any Cash Pay Today location to deposit cash to your inmate's account.

Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages

Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.

To call the Inmate Banking System at the Maryland DOC call 410-540-6221.

For further assistance regarding Incarcerated Individual accounts, you may send an email to:

crf.inmateaccounts@maryland.gov for PATX, JCI, MCIJ, MCIW, DRCF, CMCF, BCCC 

dpds.inmateaccounts@maryland.gov for CDF, BCBIC, YDC, MRDCC, MTC

eci.inmateaccounts@maryland.gov for ECI

wnbci.inmateaccounts@maryland.gov for WCI, NBCI

rci.inmateaccounts@maryland.gov for MCIH, MCTC, RCI

Central Home Detention Unit and all the other facilities in the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) has both in-person and remote visitation.

To schedule an in-person visit at a DPSCS facility, please click the email link below to submit a visitation request.

To schedule a remote visit and learn how it is done, scroll past these facilities to the Remote Visitation section.

Inmates get moved around a lot, so look up your inmate to confirm their facility location.

Detention Facilities

Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center    
BCBIC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Chesapeake Detention Facility    
CDF.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center    
MRDCC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Metropolitan Transition Center    
MTC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Youth Detention Center    
YDC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Correctional Facilities

Baltimore City Correctional Center    
BCBIC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Central Maryland Correctional Facility (Formerly CLF)    
CMCF.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Dorsey Run Correctional Facility    
DRCF.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Eastern Correctional Institution    
ECI.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Eastern Correctional Institution Annex    
ECIA.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Eastern Pre-Release Unit    
EPRU.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Jessup Correctional Institution    
JCI.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Maryland Correctional Institution - Hagerstown    
MCIH.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Maryland Correctional Institution - Jessup    
MCIJ.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Maryland Correctional Institution for Women    
MCIW.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Maryland Correctional Training Center    
MCTC.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Harold E. Donnel/Emergency Housing Unit    
HED.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

North Branch Correctional Institution    
NBCI.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Patuxent Institution    
PATX.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Roxbury Correctional Institution    
RCI.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit    
SMPRU.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

Western Correctional Institution    
WCI.InmateVisitation@maryland.gov

REMOTE VISITATION INFORMATION

Central Home Detention Unit Remote (from your home) Video Inmate Visits

• Inmates and their friends and family members can communicate by video remotely by using a service called Microsoft Teams. Maryland Corrections has a full page describing how it works.
• Download the app for iphones. Follow the instructions.
• Download the app for Android. Follow the instructions.
• After registering, invitations and a link for your Virtual Visit will be sent to the email address on file.
  - Open the email invitation;
  - You can join the virtual visitation by:
  - Click the link that states "Click here to join the meeting" from your email at the time of your meeting; or download the attached .ics file. This will place the meeting information into your calendar application. When it is time for the virtual visitation, you can access the meeting link via Event Details in your calendar application;
• To Access Microsoft Teams from your computer:
  - No application download is required.  
  - Open the invitation email as you would normally open any other email from your computer's browser.
  - Click the link that states "Click here to join the meeting" from your email at the time of your meeting.

Central Home Detention Unit Remote (from your home) Video Inmate Visits

• Inmates and their friends and family members can communicate by video remotely by using a service called Microsoft Teams. Maryland Corrections has a full page describing how it works.
• Download the app for iphones. Follow the instructions.
• Download the app for Android. Follow the instructions.
• After registering, invitations and a link for your Virtual Visit will be sent to the email address on file.
  - Open the email invitation;
  - You can join the virtual visitation by:
  - Click the link that states "Click here to join the meeting" from your email at the time of your meeting; or download the attached .ics file. This will place the meeting information into your calendar application. When it is time for the virtual visitation, you can access the meeting link via Event Details in your calendar application;
• To Access Microsoft Teams from your computer:
  - No application download is required.  
  - Open the invitation email as you would normally open any other email from your computer's browser.
  - Click the link that states "Click here to join the meeting" from your email at the time of your meeting.

There are three Ways to Communicate with an Inmate in the Central Home Detention Unit by Phone

To get started you must first open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

• Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
• Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
• Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Central Home Detention Unit, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

How to deposit money for Inmate Communications:

• Online
• By phone by calling 877-650-4249
• Deposit by cash, visa or mc debit and credit cards in the Central Home Detention Unit lobby kiosk
• By mail... Check or Money Order made out to:
  AdvancePay Service Department
  P.O. Box 911722
  Denver, CO 80291-1722
• Cash deposits to ConnectNetwork are also available at 26,000 retail locations nationwide including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger, and more. You’ll start the payment process online in your ConnectNetwork account, then complete your transaction with cash at a participating local retail store. Plus, many of these stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Find a retail store near you.

Central Home Detention Unit Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Central Home Detention Unit allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Central Home Detention Unit also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Confirm Central Home Detention Unit Mailing Address

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Confirm Central Home Detention Unit Mailing Address

Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Central Home Detention Unit allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Central Home Detention Unit standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Confirm Central Home Detention Unit Mailing Address

Central Home Detention Unit contracts with Access Securepak for families to send pre-determined packages of commissary items to your inmate.

Access Securepak carries over 1,000 different items in the following categories:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel

Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select Maryland.
3. Select Central Home Detention Unit.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at customerservice@securepak.net.
* You can write them at:
    Access Securepak
    10880 Linpage Place
    St. Louis, MO 63132

* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
   Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST, 
   and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.

*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by Central Home Detention Unit staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends.
Access Securepak is the Central Home Detention Unit's outside vendor for Commissary Items. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.

Here is a sample of what you can purchase for your inmate:
Food

Hygiene

Apparel

Electronics

*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.

Emailing and Texting Messages & Photos

Central Home Detention Unit contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles Inmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.


If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Central Home Detention Unit,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

How Messaging Works
Watch this video on how to send a message.
1.  Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
2. After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.

How Uploading Photos Works
Watch this video on how to upload a photo.
1.  Select the Photos Tab.
2. Select “Take New Photo” or “Upload New Photo”.
3. Take a new photo with your webcam, or select "Choose File" to upload a photo from your computer.
4. Give your photo a Title or add it to the "Gallery" of your choice.
5. Select the "Share" button.
6. Select your inmate(s) and then select "Share".
7. Once the photo is approved, it will be shared with your inmate(s).

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Central Home Detention Unit allows inmates access to tablets to use for the services provided by 'gettingout'.

The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at Central Home Detention Unit, such as:

• Music
• Books
• Games
• Education
• News
• Radio
• Television
• Read mail and messages
• Video visits

-  Free services are already available for use on the device at Central Home Detention Unit.
-  Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
-  Central Home Detention Unit Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.

What Does a Tablet Cost?

• Tablet devices include some services and the content is free.
• The subscription services require additional funding.
• There may be multiple options such as 7-day or 30-day subscriptions.
• Costs are dependent upon the available services and what the Central Home Detention Unit charges.

To estimate costs for phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page) or call 866-516-0115 for assistance.

Once an inmate is convicted and sentenced for a violation of that state’s felony laws (and their sentence is more than one year in length), they are moved from the City or County Jail and sent to a State Prison in Maryland. If the violation they are convicted of is a federal crime, they will be sent to a Federal Prison, but will not necessarily be doing their time in Maryland.

Maryland State Prisons are operated and maintained by the state government and are used to confine and rehabilitate criminals. State prisons are funded by state tax money. The fund is used to provide food and clothes to inmates and to hire employees to keep the prison running. Inmates in state prison enjoy certain privileges such as TV use and recreation, both indoor and outdoor. The number of privileges allowed depends on the security level of the prison, the inmate and the overall needs of the prison on a specific day.

Maryland has minimum, medium and maximum security prisons. The Corrections Department in Maryland also maintains low (or no) security residential settings and camps where inmates assist in state property maintenance and duties such as fighting fires. Almost all prisons provide ‘jobs’ where an inmate can earn a small hourly wage and even learn a trade. Some prisons even contract with call centers and handle phone calls on issues related to their state government. Criminals who have committed a violent crime or killed someone are likely housed in a maximum security prison. If the inmate in these prisons behave, they are also eligible to recreate and/or work as well.

In Maryland Prisons rehabilitation is the stated goal but the reality is that they exist to punish inmates for their crimes and keep them from hurting or harming innocent people on the outside who follow the laws and live and act responsibly. The fact is that most prison systems are underfunded, overcrowded and are not able to spend time and money rehabilitating offenders. This is not the fault of the people hired to work in prisons, they are just victims of the lack of resources due to budgeting constraints.

State Inmate

Most states have Department of Corrections websites that allow you to type in a felon's first and last name and pull up inmates in that state.

If you need to find a sentenced inmate serving time in a state other than Maryland, go here. To find an inmate in Maryland, just scroll to the top of the page and click on the Inmate Search button.

Once you locate them click next to the inmate's name or on the link provided and it will show you which prison the inmate is housed in. If the inmate is no longer incarcerated, but is on parole/probation or discharged, it will tell you that as well. In addition, many state prison inmate pages show recent mug shots.

Federal Inmate

The federal prison system has its own inmate locator called the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Type in the inmate's name and it will tell you where he or she is incarcerated and their projected release date. It also lists released federal prison inmates and the date they were released.

Federal inmates who are moved from one prison to another will show as "No longer in federal custody" on the system until they reach their next federal prison destination. This movement can take a few days to several months to complete, so keep checking back to find out where the inmate was taken.

ICE Inmates

The ICE Detainee Lookup allows friends, family members and interested parties to locate illegal and/or undocumented immigrants that are in the United States without permission.

Has the Inmate been recently arrested?... Try a County Jail

In many cases, the person you are looking for has either not been convicted or sentenced or has been sentenced and is awaiting transport to a State or Federal Prison and is still incarcerated in a City or County Jail.

To locate that person, go here to first find the State, and then the County where they were originally arrested or have been transported to. From there you can begin your search in our databases that contain the names and information of millions of inmates.

Jailexchange.com has all information on every jail and prison in the United States.