Maryland Correctional Institution – Hagerstown

The on-site dispensary has a registered nurse on duty around the clock. A physician is either at the facility or on call at all hours. Inmates request care by submitting a sick call (encounter) form, and clinic visits run five days a week.

• Co-pay: Sick call visits carry a small co-pay of about $2. Follow-up care, chronic care, mental health visits, emergencies, and intake physicals are exempt. No one is refused treatment because of an inability to pay.
• Screening: Every inmate is screened for tuberculosis.
• Medication: Medication lines run each morning and evening.
• Privacy: Medical information is protected under HIPAA, so staff can’t share it with family members or attorneys unless the inmate has authorized it.

The Psychology Department offers short, goal-focused counseling that covers crisis intervention, problem-solving, communication skills, and mental health concerns. It also runs cognitive-behavioral, life-skills, and support groups on a regular schedule. Inmates can request services by writing to the department.

The Social Work Department provides structured groups, including a 20-session decision-making course and a 30-session program for men with a history of domestic violence. It also helps inmates plan for release by connecting them with housing and community resources.

Inmates who have 18 or more months left before mandatory release and no GED or high school diploma must attend school for at least 240 days. Placement depends on testing and falls into one of three levels:

• Literacy Lab
• Adult Basic Education
• GED preparation

For job skills, MCI-H offers two vocational programs: Sheet Metal and Office Technology. Each takes about 20 weeks and ends with a certificate. Inmates who qualify can also work through Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE), which provides real-world job training. The MCE CARES reentry program and a meat-cutting apprenticeship help participants find work after release.

The library lends books, magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks, and it offers interlibrary loans. It also keeps legal reference materials and reentry resources, including Spanish-language titles.

Inmates in good standing have scheduled access to outdoor yards, rec halls, and the gymnasium. The gym is used mainly in the fall and winter. Activities include:

• Intramural sports
• Weight areas
• Board games such as chess, checkers, and Monopoly
• Card games
• Sketching

MCI-H also supports self-help and service groups, and it holds weekly worship services for a wide range of faiths.

The commissary lets inmates buy items that aren’t otherwise issued, such as snacks, hygiene products, and writing supplies. It is managed by an outside contractor (currently Keefe). Each inmate may place one order per week, with a spending cap of $85. Delivery days are set by housing unit, and order forms are handed out on Saturday evenings. If an inmate’s funds fall short, legal materials and hygiene items are filled first, followed by food.