Baltimore County Inmate Search
Arrest in Baltimore County is the act of taking an individual who is suspected of having committed a crime into custody by a law enforcement officer. The freedom of the suspects or offenders is restricted by confinement for interrogation, prosecution, or to prevent an intended crime. Officers of Police Departments have the power of arrest when there is probable cause to believe a crime is intended or committed. The Baltimore County Department of Police (BCoDP) and the Warrant Services Unit of the Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office have the power of arrest in Baltimore County. The power of arrest is only for commissioned officers and not for all staff of the Baltimore County Police Service Department.
After an arrest and booking process, the suspect may be released if the officer files no charge after interrogation or if a bond is posted by the suspect. A suspect may be detained for arraignment in court where a crime is committed. The Court Services unit of the Sheriff’s office is responsible for the security of offenders brought to the Baltimore County Circuit Court from the time of the arrest to the conclusion of their trials.
After the conviction and sentencing of an offender, the transportation unit of the Sheriff’s Office will move the prospective inmate to the correctional facility. Upon arrival at the Detention Center, the inmate will go through an intake process which will involve
- Searching inmates and their property for contraband and inventory purposes. The inmates are allowed to retain acceptable property while non-acceptable personal property is kept in the property room
- Inmates will be allowed to make free five-minute phone calls to at least two contacts
- Inmates will be made to view an orientation video
- Inmates will also go through medical screening
- Inmates are taken to the diagnostic housing unit where an assessment officer will commence the initial intake and assessment for both program and custody assignment. This may take about 48 hours.
Usually, inmates are placed in non-restrictive general population housing units with maximum, medium, or minimum security levels. The housing units for pretrial offenders are different from that of the sentenced offenders. However, where there are special circumstances, inmates may be placed in more restrictive housing units such as
- Administrative segregation
- Protective custody
- Youthful offender housing
- Psychiatric housing
- Medical housing
Baltimore County operates a correctional system that comprises the Baltimore County Detention Center, the Pretrial Services Division, Community Corrections Division, and the Alternative Sentencing Division. Newly recruited staff are made to go through the Baltimore County Department of Corrections Entrance Level Training Academy and subsequently, yearly in-service training.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Baltimore County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
The Baltimore County Police Department’s annual report for 2021 has aggravated assault, arson, burglary, homicide, motor vehicle thefts, rape, robbery, and theft as the common crimes in the County. A total of 3,506 arrests were made for both violent crimes and property crimes in 2021. Property crimes (theft, burglary, motor, motor vehicle theft, and arson) accounted for 1,893 arrests while the remaining 1,613 arrests were for violent crimes (homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, and rape). The most common crime was theft with 12,007 reported incidents and 1,233 arrests. This is followed by aggravated assault with 2,465 victims and 1,140 arrests.
Baltimore County Prison System
Baltimore County prison system is a correctional system that provides safe and secure detention facilities for both pretrial and sentenced offenders. The goal is to ensure that suspects/ offenders appear in court, manage alternatives to incarceration, and provide opportunities for self-improvement for smooth community reentry by offenders. The Baltimore CountyDetention Center has 1,513 inmate capacity.
The County Sheriff through the Baltimore County Department of Correction oversees the jail and prison system in the County. The Department of Corrections has the Baltimore County Detention Center, the Pretrial Services Division, Community Corrections Division, and the Alternative Sentencing Division as components. The Department also maintains an Emergency Response Team (ERT) that responds to emergencies both within and outside the correctional facilities. The Baltimore County prison system maintains housing units at Besley Avenue and Kenilworth Drive which are used as incarceration facilities.
The Baltimore County jail facility houses pretrial inmates and convicted offenders who are serving short-term sentences of less than one year. While sentenced offenders with more than one year of sentences are incarcerated at the Correctional Institutions of the Maryland Department of Safety and Correctional Services.
How to Find an Inmate in Baltimore County
To find information about inmates in Baltimore County, the inquirer can use some options. The Baltimore County Department of Police (BCoPD) provides information about arrests made in the county on the News Portal on their website. The name, age, date & time of arrest, crime description, place of arrest, and place of detention are part of the arrest information on the news portal. The police precinct office covering the area where an arrest is made may also provide inmate information about an individual being held in custody. The BCoDP can also provide inmates information if a request is made using the Police Report Request Form.
The County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of all inmates that are incarcerated pending their court appearances. Hence, to find an inmate, inquirers may visit the Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office in person or call (410) 887-3151 to find inmates.
For convicted offenders who are serving their sentences in Baltimore County, inquirers may call the security desk of Baltimore County Correctional Facility at (410) 512-3200.
Baltimore County inmate search may be done at the Maryland Department of Safety and Correctional Services, and state correctional institutions in Baltimore County.
How Does Baltimore County Inmate Search Work?
The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) grants the public a right of access to public records in Baltimore County. According to the MPIA, the legal custodians of inmates' records in Baltimore County are under specific rules and regulations. Baltimore County inmate search may be done at the Police Department, Office of the County Sheriff, Baltimore County Department of Corrections, and the Department of Justice. Only public information about inmates is allowed public access in Baltimore County while detailed inmate information may be obtained by request to the appropriate record custodian. The information available about inmates in Baltimore Court may include
- Inmate full name
- Sex, race, and age of the inmate
- Mug shot (photograph
- Date of birth
- Booking number
- Hair and eye color, height, and weight
- The residence address of the inmate
- Release status and information
- Next court date (if applicable)
- Arrest information (date, time, location, arrest officer)
- Case information
- Bail condition and amount
- The trial court information and presiding judge
- The fine amount and other financial impositions
- Sentencing date and details
- Disposition information (code and details)
Where to Find a Baltimore County Inmate Locator
The Baltimore County inmate locator may be found on the County’s website and accessed through the Police Department and Department of Corrections sections. Usually, the record search would require that record seekers provide some information about the subject of the inmate search.
The Baltimore County Department of Corrections does not release the information of inmates on its website or by phone. However, it recommends the inmate locators on Maryland Vine (a victim of crime services website) which provides access to custody status and criminal case information of offenders in Baltimore County. Inmate locators may also be found on independent private websites that provide such related services.
The inmate locator tool can be found on the website of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The inmate locator may be used to find sentenced offenders in the custody of the Commissioner of Corrections. The data generated by this inmate locator may not include all the short-sentenced offenders. Offenders who are no longer in custody either by escape pre by release and pretrial offenders are not listed on this inmate locator.
The United States Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator can be used to find offenders who are being tried for Federal charges in the U.S. District Courts in Baltimore County. Also, offenders who are convicted for federal charges and serving their sentences in Correctional facilities in Baltimore County may be found using the Bureau of Prison Inmate Locator.
How to Send Money to a Baltimore County Inmate
The Baltimore County Department of Corrections allows inmates to maintain an account while in custody and there are no minimum or maximum amounts that may be deposited in the account. The inmate account is a non-interest account known as an escrow account. All deposits to the escrow account are recorded on the inmate’s property envelope. Deposit to the account may be made
- At the Detention Center Kiosk for cash, Visa, and MasterCard deposit
- Online using TouchPay
- In-person at TouchPay Retail Location
- By phone through (866) 232-1899
For inmates in State Correctional Facilities in Baltimore County, only Money Orders are acceptable. Funds may be sent to the inmate’s Lockbox through
- Postal Office - (866) 459-7822
- Western Union - (800) 999-9660
- Money Gram - (800) 542-3590
- Global Express: (800) 394-4525
- Wells Fargo: (800) 869-3557
How to Visit a Baltimore County Inmate
The Baltimore County Department of Corrections allows both personal and professional visitation to inmates in its custody. Personal visitors are family members, friends, and folks of the inmate, while professional visitors are attorneys, clergy, law enforcement officers, parole and probation officers, psychologists and psychiatrists, and social workers.
All visitors are required to schedule a visit before the intended date of the visit. To schedule a visit, the potential visitor’s full name, inmate’s information (name, UID number, and housing location), and the names of accompanying children over 12 years old are necessary information. The prospective visitor will be notified if the scheduled visit is canceled for public health (such as Covid-19), and security concerns. It is advisable to confirm from the correction facility if a visit has been canceled or not before taking off for such a visit.
Visiting is a privilege, hence the need for both inmates and visitors to adhere strictly to the guiding rules and regulations in Baltimore County correctional facilities. Here are some of the visiting rules and regulations
- Visitors must present a valid photo identification issued by a government agency – Federal, State, or Local.
- Personal items like handbags, cell phones, pagers, umbrellas, cameras, cigarettes, and lighters are not allowed in the visiting area. They may be kept in the lockers with keys provided by the facility.
- Physical contact between the visitors and the inmates is not allowed
- Behavior such as profanity, loitering, loud disruptive acts, and eating and drinking are prohibited in the visiting area.
- Smoking is prohibited throughout the correctional facility
- Any visitor who attempts to smuggle contraband into the correctional facility will be prosecuted.
- Any visitor under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult
- Only those on the inmates' authorized visitors list are allowed to schedule a visit. The visitors list may not have more than 10 individuals excluding professional visitors and children under the age of 12 years.
- The dress code should be appropriate for a professional environment and should not be
- Shorts, skirts, or dresses higher than the knee
- Form-fitting or spandex clothing
- Open shoulders, open back, midriff, and excessive cleavages
- Clothing promoting drugs, alcohol, violence, or gang activities, or displaying profanity and obscene images
- Visitors must have arrived at the designated visitor entrance at least 30 minutes before the visit at Kenilworth housing units and at least 15 minutes for Bosley housing units.
How to Send Jail Mail in Baltimore County
Baltimore County Department of Corrections allows inmates to exchange correspondence (mail) with members of the outside community. Incoming and outgoing mail may be rejected where there is probable cause to believe that the content of the mail may constitute an order, safety, and security threat to the facility. Also, mail may be rejected after inspection if it is being used for illegal activities. All incoming and outgoing non-legal mail will be opened and inspected while legal mail shall be opened and inspected in the presence of the inmate. Inmates are granted custody of their mail, however, any mail that cannot neatly fit in the inmate’s property container will be stored in the excess property store.
There is no limit to the volume of mail an inmate can receive or send, however, some mail may be rejected by the correctional staff. Inmates’ mail privileges will only be denied by a restricting court order or as a penalty for violating Correctional facility rules and regulations. Inmates cannot correspond with other inmates except with the approval of the correctional Director, engage in contract by mail, or engage in criminal activities by mail.
Rules for sending jail mail include
- Photographs must not include Polaroid
- Written or typed letters are acceptable
- Books must be sent directly from the publisher
- Religious reading materials shall be from the chaplain or sent directly from the publisher
- Items larger than 11.5 by 14 inches are not acceptable
- Approval must be sort before sending packages by mail
- Pages from coloring books, crossword books, and activity books are not acceptable
- Greeting cards, calling cards, bank cards, money cards, identification cards, and playing cards are not acceptable
- Mails containing foreign substances such as tape, stickers, watercolors, wax, crayons, and correctional fluid are not acceptable
- Sexually graphic materials, publications promoting violent acts, gang activities, or detailing security-threatening information are regarded as contrabands.
- Any mail without complete information such as names and the return address will be rejected.
All mail must be sent through U.S. Mail Portal Services and addressed as follow
Inmate’s Name & ID number
Baltimore County Department of Corrections
720 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
For Inmate ID number call (410) 512-3200
Baltimore County Jails and Prisons
The Baltimore County Department of Corrections maintains two groups of housing for offenders’ incarceration. There are about seven (7) Maryland State incarceration facilities in Baltimore County. The names and addresses of the jail and prison facilities in Baltimore County are as follows:
Baltimore County Detention Center
720 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (401) 512-3200
Baltimore County Detention Center - Kenilworth Diagnostic Unit
404 Kenilworth Drive
Towson, MD 21204
State Facilities
Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center
300 East Madison Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 545-8102
Baltimore City Detention Center
401 East Eager Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 209-4001
Baltimore Pre-Release Unit
926 Greenmount Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (401) 234-1878
Baltimore City Correction
901 Greenmount Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 332-4340
Baltimore Juvenile Justice Center
300 North Gay Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (443) 576-6968
Central Home Detention Unit
2100 Guilford Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (448) 263-3800
Chesapeake Detention Facility
401 East Madison Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (401) 539-5445
Fax: (401) 332-4561
