History

In 1859, Caroline County's first jail was constructed for $7,162.90. The original jail was built as a two-story brick building with a stone foundation. It had 12 cells, one for each of the county's 12 election districts.

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In 1959, the old jail was replaced with a new $1 million jail, which was built on the same site as the original jail. The current jail is a two-story brick building with a basement. It has 96 beds and houses male and female inmates.

Renovations:

In 1995, the jail underwent a $1.8 million renovation, which included the addition of a new security system, new plumbing, and new electrical wiring. The renovation also included the construction of a new sally port, which is a secure entrance for inmates.

In 2005, the jail underwent a $2 million renovation, which included the construction of a new wing with 32 additional beds. This addition is called The Detention Center.

Vision and Mission:

The Caroline County Jail's vision is to be a "safe, secure, and humane correctional facility that provides a positive and productive environment for inmates, staff, and the community."

The Caroline County Jail's mission is to "provide a safe and secure environment for inmates, staff, and the community; to provide inmates with opportunities for personal growth and development; and to promote public safety."

Programs:

The Caroline County Jail offers a variety of programs for inmates, including:

• Educational programs, such as GED classes and vocational training
• Drug and alcohol treatment programs
• Mental health counseling
• Religious services
• Recreation programs

The Caroline County Jail also offers a "work release" program, which allows inmates to work outside the jail during the day and return to the jail at night.

Challenges:

The Caroline County Jail faces a number of challenges, including:

• Overcrowding: The jail is currently operating at over capacity.
• Staffing shortages: The jail is currently short-staffed, which can lead to safety concerns for inmates and staff.
• Mental health issues: A significant number of inmates at the jail have mental health issues, which can make it difficult to manage the jail population.
• Drug abuse: A significant number of inmates at the jail are struggling with drug abuse, which can lead to recidivism.

Future:

The Caroline County Jail is currently in the planning stages for a new jail. The new jail is expected to be built on a new site and will have a capacity of 250 beds. The new jail is expected to be completed in 2025.

The new jail is expected to address the challenges that the current jail is facing, such as overcrowding, staffing shortages, mental health issues, and drug abuse. The new jail will also include a variety of new programs and services for inmates, such as a drug treatment program, a mental health unit, and a vocational training center.

The Caroline County Jail is committed to providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for inmates, staff, and the community. The new jail will help the jail to better achieve its mission and vision.

Controversies:

The Caroline County Jail has been the subject of several controversies over the years, including:

• In 2015, the jail was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over its use of solitary confinement. The ACLU alleged that the jail's use of solitary confinement was unconstitutional and violated the inmates' rights to due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. The lawsuit was settled in 2017, and the jail agreed to limit its use of solitary confinement.
• In 2017, the jail was investigated by the Maryland State Police after an inmate died in custody. The inmate, a 25-year-old man, died of a drug overdose. The investigation found that the jail staff had failed to properly monitor the inmate and had not provided him with adequate medical care.
• In 2019, the jail was sued by a group of inmates who alleged that they were being denied access to adequate medical care. The inmates alleged that they were not being seen by a doctor or nurse on a regular basis and that they were not being given the medications that they had been prescribed. The lawsuit is still pending.