Weekend Detention Program

Weekender Change Notice
Effective July 1, 2009

Effective July 1, 2009, the Detention Center Weekender Fee will increase from $20.00 to $25.00 per day.

You may be required to work on an outside labor detail, you are to bring clothing deemed appropriated for such labor. Failure to be ready or to agree to participate may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Background

The Howard County Detention Center is a 361 bed maximum security detention facility located on Rt. 175 in Jessup, Maryland. The facility detains those persons sentenced and otherwise legally confined in Howard County. Its staff is dedicated to assuring that all persons are treated fairly and that a safe and humane environment is maintained within the facility. You should review the following information prior to reporting.

The Sentence

You have been sentenced to a period of weekend incarceration at the Howard County Detention Center. Inmates are sentenced to the Detention Center by Judges of both the District Court of Maryland #10, and the Circuit Court for Howard County.

Your sentence is unique to your case. While sentencing you to the Detention Center, the sentencing Judge ordered you to report and be discharged at a specific date and time of day. The Detention Center will follow the commitment as issued by the sentencing Judge. To avoid confusion, you should keep your copy of the commitment order and bring it with you when you report. If for any reason you are unable to report as ordered, you must contact the Court. The Howard County Detention Center cannot excuse you from reporting. In cases where you fail to report, the Detention Center will notify the sentencing Judge immediately.

What to Expect

Upon arrival, be prepared to produce a government issued identification verifying your identity. At admission, you will receive orientation. After orientation and initial processing, you will be thoroughly searched. All applicable fees will be collected. The Detention Center Weekender Fee is $25.00 per day. The fees may be paid by cash, certified check or money order, made payable to: Director of Finance for Howard County. No personal checks will be accepted.

Any items that you bring into the facility, that do not appear on the following list, will be confiscated. Random alcohol and drug screening tools are utilized, as needed. You will be housed within the facility and subject to the same inmate rules and regulations as other inmates detained at the facility.

Allowable Items

• (1) shoes and socks appropriate for outside work
• (1) ball Cap (no logos)
• (1) change of undergarments (no logos)
• (1) pair of shower shoes
• (1) towel and washcloth
• (1) sweat suit (no hood, no logos or metal fasteners of any type)
• (2) magazines or paperback books (no pornography)
• (1) ring and (1) watch (maximum value - $50.00)
• Maximum $55.00 cash (excluding fees to be paid)

NO EXCEPTIONS - ALL NON-APPROVED ITEMS WILL BE CONFISCATED.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE CARRIED IN A CLEAR PLASTIC BAG.

Parking

Inmates assigned to weekend sentences are asked to avoid bringing personal autos to the facility, if possible. If you do bring a vehicle, you must park it in the lower parking lot. Please secure your vehicle and understand that all vehicles are subject to canine screening. You will be held responsible for dangerous or illegal items found within your vehicle.

Weekender Medication Administration

The Detention Center will provide medication to weekend detainees who take medication for prevailing medical conditions. All requests for medication will be verified through the weekender’s health care provider, and approved on a case-by-case basis, as needed. Weekend detainees must fax the completed form (medication, dosage, frequency, health care provider, and contact information) to the Medical Section at HCDC (410-313-5266) before 10:00 AM on the Thursday preceding your report date.

Weekender Regulations

• Do not consume alcohol or use drugs prior to reporting for weekends.
• No tobacco products will be allowed in the Detention Center.
• No radios or electronic devices (pagers, cell phones, etc.) will be allowed.
• Weekenders will not be allowed to bring food, candy, drinks, newspapers, toiletry items, or other items not mentioned under allowable items.
• Weekenders must report on time. A report will be forwarded to the sentencing Judge documenting any lateness or failure to report as ordered.
• Weekenders are responsible for maintaining personal hygiene and acceptable sanitation practices while confined at this facility.
• Weekenders must follow all rules listed above as well as those listed in the Inmate Handbook. Any violation of the rules will result in disciplinary action, notification of the sentencing Judge, or both.
• Weekenders should be prepared to be assigned to a Weekend Labor Detail while in the custody of the Detention Center.

Weekender Fees

As a weekend detainee, you are required to pay a fee for food and lodging as established by Article 27, Section 645CC of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Howard County Council, through Order # 121 has established a rate of $25.00 per day as a reasonable charge for inmates sentenced to serve weekends at the Detention Center. Any portion or combination of either Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays or Saturday/Sunday will be calculated as 2 days. You must pay this fee by cash, certified check, or a money order made out to: Director of Finance for Howard County. No personal checks will be accepted.

Payment is to be made by you on a weekly basis. You are to bring full payment with you each weekend, for that weekend. No payment will be accepted in advance. You will receive a receipt for all fees paid. Keep your receipts as proof of payment.

You will be required by the Howard County Detention Center to serve your weekends regardless of payment or non-payment. However, the County will take whatever steps it deems necessary and appropriate to enforce its legal right to payment.

*NOTE: ALL WEEKENDERS WILL PAY A WEEKENDER FEE OF $25.00 PER DAY UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED BY THE COURT.

Good Conduct Time

If you are sentenced to weekends at the Howard County Detention Center, you will be credited with five (5) days good time for each thirty (30) day period. Credit will be given on a prorated basis for periods less than (30) thirty days. Weekender release dates are posted in the Intake office every Friday. Release date inquiries should be forwarded to the Intake desk when reporting for your weekend.