MDPSCS - Baltimore City Correctional Center (BCCC)

You can support your loved ones at BCCC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 410-332-4340.

Located at 901 Greenmount Ave in Baltimore, MD, BCCC carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. BCCC offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on MDPSCS - Baltimore City Correctional Center (BCCC) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The BCDC, previously known as the Baltimore City Jail, is a state prison operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MDPSCS). The BCDC is part of a larger correctional campus that includes several other facilities:

• Baltimore City Correctional Center: Located at 901 Greenmount Avenue, also operated by the state.
• Maryland's Metropolitan Transition Center: Situated at 954 Forrest Street, this facility was initially established in 1811 as the Maryland Penitentiary and housed the state's execution chamber before its decommissioning.
• Chesapeake Detention Facility: Previously known as the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center, it is located at 401 East Madison Street.

The BCDC is counted among the top 20 largest detention facilities in the United States. With a capacity to accommodate up to 4,000 prisoners across its five buildings, it is also one of the oldest prisons in the country. Approximately 90% of its detainees are individuals awaiting trial.

In July 2015, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the permanent closure of the men's facility, with the 750 inmates being relocated to more modern facilities. The exact closure date was not specified, but the jail was eventually demolished in 2021.

Over the years, the jail has faced numerous challenges. In 1972, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reported issues such as inadequate training among guards, lax security measures, poor sanitation, and insufficient inmate rehabilitation programs. In the same year, black guards were promoted to captain positions for the first time. Additionally, in 1977, four women became the first female guards to work in the men's wing of the jail.

Legal rulings and overcrowding concerns have also impacted the facility. In 1979, a federal judge mandated that only one inmate could be housed in each cell. This led to a five-year renovation and expansion project announced by city officials. Despite efforts to reduce overcrowding, by 1989, the jail's population was nearing 3,000, prompting Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke to declare an emergency.

In 1991, the state assumed control of the facility from the city, resulting in its renaming from Baltimore City Jail to Baltimore City Detention Center.

Baltimore City Correctional Center is located in Baltimore Maryland. It is a minimum security institution that houses approximately 500 adult male offenders. This facility employs 127 staff members. The prison has an operating cost of close to $13.7 million dollars, with the cost of incarceration per inmate around $27,733. Inmates who are getting close to release are allowed to work on road crews. A comprehensive pre-release program includes an intensive 14 day assessment that helps setup the needs of the offender including housing, employment and a social worker. Offenders can earn a GED and take classes in reading, writing, and math. Inmates preparing to leave the institution are taught interviewing skills and resume writing to maximize their potential of obtaining a job.