by Staff Writer
Governor Wes Moore has announced that the Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup (MCI-J) will permanently close by June 30, 2026.
The move is expected to save Maryland approximately $21 million annually in operational costs and support expanded access to education, vocational training, and re-entry programs for incarcerated individuals. “MCI-J has long outrun its facility lifespan and we refuse to kick the can further down the road,” said Gov. Moore.
Opened in 1981 as an annex to the now-demolished Maryland House of Correction, MCI-J is a medium-security facility housing 709 incarcerated individuals with 308 budgeted staff positions. The facility has deteriorated significantly due to years of underinvestment.
Issues include foundation problems, drainage failures, and aging infrastructure. A Department of General Services report found that major systems—plumbing, electrical, and roofing—have exceeded their life expectancy. Full renovation would cost an estimated $200 million and take years.
“Our plan to close this facility will save taxpayers money, ease strain on our hardworking and dedicated correctional staff, and honor the state’s commitment to meeting every Marylander with humanity, including incarcerated individuals.” – Gov. Moore
“After careful evaluation, the decision to close MCI-J is a fiscally responsible step forward for our state,” said Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services. “By closing MCI-J, we’re saving Maryland taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in avoidable costs over the long term and refocusing our resources on more sustainable correctional solutions.”
All MCI-J staff will be offered positions at nearby facilities, including the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women and the Dorsey Run Correctional Facility, both in Jessup. This shift will help improve staffing levels and reduce mandatory overtime.
“Adequate staff is proactive security,” said Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs. “By shifting staff to surrounding facilities, we will not only provide coverage needed to deter incidents and make our facilities safer, but we can minimize the costly, constant and exhausting cycle of mandatory overtime, improve morale and reduce burnout.”
Incarcerated individuals will be relocated in phases to other Maryland facilities, including Hagerstown, Roxbury, and North Branch correctional institutions. Programming from MCI-J—such as education, vocational training, and college courses—will continue at other sites across the state.
After closure, MCI-J will be winterized at a cost of $1.5 million while the state considers future uses for the site.
