Chesapeake Detention Facility

The Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF), previously the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center (MCAC), is a maximum level II (supermax or control unit) prison for male and female inmates that is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in Baltimore.

Since 2012, the state has managed the Chesapeake Detention Facility under contract with the United States Marshals Service and does not hold state prisoners. Instead, they solely house federal pretrial detainees. Inmates are in this facility for an average of six months.

Built in 1988, this facility is located at 401 East Madison Street in Baltimore. The Division of Pretrial Detention and Services currently consists of the following facilities: Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center; Chesapeake Detention Facility; Metropolitan Transition Center; and the Baltimore Pre-trial Complex, which includes the Wyatt Building; the Jail Industries Building; the Annex; and the Women’s Detention Center.

Prior to February, 2011, inmates housed at MCAC were confined to their cells 23 hours a day Monday through Friday and 24 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday.

The federal detainees are not subjected to the supermax conditions that the prior state inmates were subjected to. Federal detainees have indoor and outdoor recreation everyday of the week. They also eat together and have access to phones.

Until June 2010, CDF also housed Maryland's death row inmates. Male death row inmates were housed at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Allegany County, Maryland from 2010 until death row was closed in 2014. Executions took place across the street at the former Maryland Penitentiary (now known as the Metropolitan Transition Center).

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting days and hours at Chesapeake Detention Facility are on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

First session

Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. visits begin at 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (All visiting booths must be clear of visits by 2:00 p.m. regardless of the duration of visit)

NoteㄧSaturday and Sunday, 1st Session are as follows: Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. visits begin at 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (All visiting booths must be clear of visits by 2:00 p.m. regardless of the duration of visit)

Second session

Registration along with visits begins at 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

(All visiting booths must be cleared of all visitors by 8:30 p.m. regardless of the duration of the visit).

General Visiting Rules

Pursuant to Maryland's Criminal Law it is illegal to bring contraband into a correctional facility. Even attempting to bring it in can get you into a lot of trouble.

Items include but are not limited to telecommunication devices, contraband to effect an escape, weapons of any type, alcoholic beverages, controlled dangerous substances, and tobacco.

It is unlawful for a person to deposit or conceal a telecommunication device in or about a place of confinement with the intent that it be obtained by a person detained or confined.

Violators are subject to arrest and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Upon conviction, violators are subject to imprisonment from periods of three to ten years, fines of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.

Dress Code

All visitors, including children, must dress appropriately for visitation.  All clothing must cover you from the neck to the kneecaps.

The following types of clothing are not allowed to be worn:

• tube tops, tank tops, or halter tops
• see-through clothing
• mini-skirts, mini-dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes (at or above the kneecap)
• form-fitting clothes such as leotards, spandex, and leggings
• clothes that expose a person's midriff, side, or back
• tops or dresses that have revealing necklines and/or excessive splits
• coats, jackets, shawls and scarves will be placed in an appropriate area (Exceptions will be made for religious headdress)
• shower shoes or flip flops

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Chesapeake Detention Facility uses a Lockbox system for friends and family members to send inmates money. The Lockbox is a service provided by a bank where money orders received at the designated P.O. Box are picked up and delivered to the bank responsible for processing and depositing the incoming Money Orders sent to inmates.

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services–Division of Correction only accepts Money Orders. NOTE: Cashier Checks, Personal Checks, Official Checks, Bill Pay Checks, Bank Checks, Non-Electronic Transfers, and Non-US Currency Checks/Money Orders will not be accepted.

You must include the following info on the money order:

• The Inmate’s Name, Institution, and Inmate SID # (State Identification Number).
• Sender’s Name and Address.

Please use Black or Blue Ink pen only on the money orders and neatly PRINT the required information.

Money Orders should be made payable to the Inmate (Full Committed Name; no AKA’s, etc) and sent to:

Inmate Name, DOC Number
Chesapeake Detention Facility
P.O. Box 17111
Baltimore, MD 21297-0382

​Programs For ​Inmates

Chesapeake Detention Facility places a large emphasis on fatherhood and parenting.  Many of the programs offered are focuses on improving parental skills and modifying behavioral patterns.

Pictures of Chesapeake Detention Facility

Careers at Chesapeake Detention Facility

If you are interested in a career with the Maryland Department of Corrections at the Chesapeake Detention Facility, you can find job listings by clicking here. If you are interested in a career as a correctional officer with the DOC, click here.