Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit – Overview and Information
The Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit, or SOMD Pre-Release, is a medium-security prison in the Maryland Department of Corrections located in Lusby, MD. The facility is the only medium-security pre-release facility in the state and is the only specialized release center in Maryland that accepts inmates from all over the state. The SOMD Pre-Release is intended for those who have been given a set period of time to prepare for re-entry into society and to serve the sentence for their crime.
The SOMD Pre-Release is home to over 400 inmates and is divided into four residential units, ranging from minimum to medium security. Each residential unit consists of a combination of double and single occupancy cells, along with a dayroom, library, computer room, and recreation area. Inmates are encouraged to work or participate in one of the many programs available, including education classes, religious services, counseling and substance abuse treatment programs.
SOMD Pre-Release has a strict system in place that allows prisoners to have very limited contact with family and friends. Inmates can only communicate via written letters and guarded phone calls when approved by staff. All visitors must be pre-approved and are conspicuously monitoring during visitation.
Recommendations for prisoners that are accepted into the SOMD Pre-Release, include staying away from drugs and alcohol, maintaining a compatible living situation, and abiding by the facility’s regulations. Inmates will also be expected to participate in educational and vocational courses as a part of their sentence.
The SOMD Pre-Release is a great resource for prisoners and those in their community seeking to make a successful transition into society. The facility is an excellent example of how rehabilitation works in the criminal justice system. By enrolling in a program like that offered at the SOMD Pre-Release, inmates are given the tools they need to succeed post-incarceration.
Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit – Classes, Services, and Programs
The Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit (SMPUR) offers individuals who are awaiting release from correctional facilities an array of classes, services, and programs that are designed to help them better prepare for their return to the community. SMPUR provides a variety of services that are geared towards assisting individuals in making a successful transition into daily life after being in a correctional facility.
Pre-release classes are designed to help individuals learn the skills they need to transition back into the community. Some of the topics covered in the classes include resume and job search assistance, financial literacy, anger management, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and counseling, problem solving, and relationship building. These classes are designed to help the individuals integrate back into society and avoid potential pitfalls.
In addition to classes, the SMPUR provides medical and psychological services to help ensure that individuals are healthy and able to manage their emotions during their transition back into society. This may include access to mental health professionals, or general physicians for physical health evaluations.
The SMPUR also offers programs to help individuals who are re-entering society find housing, gain employment, and receive assistance for transportation and other needs. This can include access to job search support and mentorship programs aimed at helping individuals acquire skills that will give them an advantage in the job market.
The services and programs offered by the SMPUR are crucial in helping individuals successfully transition out of correctional facilities and into society. By providing resources to individuals to enable them to find housing, gain employment, and cope with their emotions, the SMPUR is helping to reduce the recidivism rate and support individuals as they build a better future for themselves and the community.
Inmate visiting application in Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit
Inmates in the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit may request visits with friends and family during their incarceration. The Visiting Application process is designed to stay compliant with all mandated security measures and allow for as much visitation as possible.
Before submitting an application to visit an inmate, visitors must read and understand the information and rules provided according to the Pre-Release Unit’s Visitor Information Packet. The visitor must fill out a Visiting Application that must be submitted to the Pre-Release Unit. The visitor must also provide forms of identification, including a valid state driver’s license or identification card, or a valid passport.
The Visiting Application must specify the name and identification number of the inmate, as well as the purpose of the visit. The application may take up to ten business days to process. Once the visitor’s application is approved, the visitor will receive notification via phone.
The Visitor Information Packet states that no cell phones are allowed, and visitors should refrain from bringing any personal items such as wallets, purses, and hats. All visits are considered a privilege and can be revoked if the visitor disturbing other inmates or disregards any of the Unit’s rules.
When visiting an inmate at the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit, visitors should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visit to ensure that the visit will not be delayed or denied. Visitors should recognize that the visit may be recorded or monitored by staff members.
The Visiting Application process is designed to ensure the safety of visitors and inmates alike. After the visitor is approved, visits will be able to take place in compliance with Pre-Release Unit Rules and Regulations.
Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit?
A:The Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit (PMU) is a residential program for offenders transitioning from correctional facilities into local communities. The unit also provides support services to individuals from the local community who are preparing to transition into and from correctional facilities throughout the state of Maryland. The PMU helps individuals gain necessary skills and resources to live safely and productively in the community upon release.
Q: What services are provided at the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit?
A:The services provided at the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit are wide-ranging and include: case management/reintegration services, life skills, substance abuse programming, educational programs, employability skills, and mental health programming. Additionally, the PMU provides referrals and assistance in the areas of job placement, housing, health care, and recreational activities. These services are all tailored to help individuals reintegrate back into their communities upon release.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit?
A:Eligibility for the PMU is determined by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). Generally those eligible to participate are individuals who are currently incarcerated in a correctional facility in the state of Maryland, who are within six months of release, and who are eighteen years of age or older.
Q: How do I apply for the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit?
A:Individuals who wish to apply for admission into the PMU must contact their Case Manager at the correctional institution they are held at. The Case Manager will review the individual’s application and if approved, the individual will receive a transfer to the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit.
Q: What is the cost to participate in the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit?
A:The cost to participate in the PMU is free. All services and programs provided within the unit are funded by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
