Visiting in Maryland (DPSCS)

Visiting an incarcerated person in Maryland involves getting on the person’s approved visitor list and then arranging a visit with the facility. Maryland has no single statewide online booking system, so days, hours, and how to schedule are set by the individual facility — confirm them with the prison where the person is held.

Step 1: Getting on the visitor list

Each incarcerated person has an approved visitor list. A visitor must be on that list before visiting; visitors 16 and older must show a valid government-issued photo ID, and those under 18 must be immediate family or accompanied by an approved adult. The incarcerated person generally must serve about 30 days before visiting can begin.

Step 2: Arranging the visit

Maryland does not have a statewide online scheduler. Visits are arranged with each facility — commonly by emailing an in-person visitation request and waiting for confirmation — and registration typically opens about a week ahead and closes a few days before. Confirm the facility’s current days, hours, visit length, and the number of visitors allowed before traveling.

What to wear

Visitor clothing must be modest. The standard rules:

• No revealing, sheer, or provocative clothing.
• Nothing that resembles what incarcerated people or staff wear.

Each facility enforces its own dress code at the entrance and may turn away a visitor who is out of code, so confirm the specific facility’s current rules before traveling.

Identification

Every visitor 16 and older must show a valid government-issued photo ID. A visit may include a search and, at some facilities, fingerprint identification. Confirm the facility’s rules for bringing children.

What you can bring

Items in the visiting room are tightly limited. Phones, bags, and most personal items are not allowed. A small amount of cash in $1 bills is permitted only where a vending machine is available, along with fast-acting rescue medication. Money for the person’s account is sent through Access Corrections, never handed over at a visit — see Sending Money in Maryland.

Video visiting

Maryland offers free video visits through Microsoft Teams. An approved visitor completes a video-visitation acknowledgement form, installs the Microsoft Teams app on a device with a camera and microphone, and receives a meeting link by email. Confirm the facility’s current video-visit schedule and how to register.

Verify Before Acting

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Visiting Basics.