In this subtitle, “eligible individual” means an incarcerated woman who:
is within 36 months of the woman’s anticipated release date; and
has prerelease or minimum security status.
Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner shall operate a comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease facility for eligible individuals that:
is a separate structure in which the services specified in § 3–305 of this subtitle are provided;
is architecturally designed and constructed to facilitate the provision of services specified in § 3–305 of this subtitle; and
includes:
features that:
balance physical safety and security with visual privacy and dignity; and
encourage rehabilitation by providing as close to a noncarceral environment as practicable;
housing units with double and single occupancy;
handicapped accessible rooms, wheelchair ramps, and designated handicapped parking spaces;
bathrooms that maximize privacy, dignity, and security of residents, staff, and visitors;
administrative offices;
indoor and outdoor meeting, lounge, and visiting spaces, including family visiting spaces;
classrooms;
a career center;
a nonemergency medical suite;
on–site recreational, creative, and athletic facilities; and
access to public transportation.
A prerelease facility for women shall be:
located in Baltimore City on a site that is:
not less than 3 acres in land area; and
not located within one–half mile of any existing correctional facility; and
able to accommodate the administration, housing, programming, and services required under this subtitle for not fewer than 1.25 times the maximum number of women at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women who were eligible for prerelease status in calendar year 2023, as reported by the Department in its October 2024 report to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.
An incarcerated individual assigned to a prerelease facility for women may have access to the community for any purpose described in § 3–307(a) of this subtitle.
The Department shall:
identify a location, acquire property, and design a site plan for the prerelease facility for women on or before October 1, 2027, or not later than 6 months thereafter;
begin construction or renovation of the facility on or before July 1, 2028, or not later than 6 months thereafter;
complete the construction or renovation on or before March 1, 2031, or not later than 6 months thereafter; and
begin operating and providing services in the facility on or before September 1, 2031, or not later than 6 months thereafter.
The Department of General Services shall submit a timeline of deliverables for the planning, design, and construction of the prerelease facility for women to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman.
The Commissioner has the same powers and duties relating to a prerelease facility for women as the Commissioner has for any other correctional facility in the Division.
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
“Evidence–based programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 6–119 of this article.
“Gender–responsive services” means evidence–based programs and practices that address the needs of eligible individuals regarding their therapeutic, educational, and vocational goals, life skills, psychological development, socialization, culture, exposure to trauma, and life experiences, to reduce criminogenic risks and support successful reentry, recovery, and recidivism reduction.
“Innovative programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 6–119 of this article.
The Commissioner shall make evidence–based, trauma–informed, and gender–responsive services available to eligible individuals at the prerelease facility for women required under § 3–302 of this subtitle.
The comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services shall utilize evidence–based, trauma–informed, and gender–responsive programs and practices and innovative programs and practices to:
assist female incarcerated individuals in improving their education, upgrading vocational skills, and obtaining suitable employment through classes to earn industry certification or community college credits, workforce training, and job placement;
provide female incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to strengthen family and community relationships through extended family leave, parenting workshops, and family reunification assistance;
provide integrative and gender–responsive services, including medical treatment, trauma–informed counseling, mental health treatment, and substance use disorder treatment to address overall health and trauma needs and help female incarcerated individuals achieve stable and productive roles in society;
develop individualized and comprehensive reentry plans involving community provider partnerships for female incarcerated individuals to reduce barriers to obtaining housing, jobs, education, health care, childcare and child welfare, transportation, legal advocacy, case management, and other needs; and
screen female incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits and provide relevant applications and assistance completing each application prior to release as part of a reentry plan.
Incarcerated individuals assigned to the facility required under § 3–302 of this subtitle may not be transported to another facility to receive comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services.
By contract or purchase of service agreement, the Division may arrange for a person or governmental unit to provide comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services in a prerelease facility for women.
With the Secretary’s approval, the Commissioner may contract with a person or a municipal or county authority to provide food, housing, transportation, and programs to incarcerated individuals in a prerelease facility for women.
Subject to regulations adopted by the Commissioner, the Commissioner may delegate to the facility administrator of a prerelease facility for women the authority to grant incarcerated individuals the privilege of leaving the confines of the facility for the purpose of:
engaging in or seeking employment;
participating in educational programs or vocational training;
participating in community or civic activities;
participating in volunteer work;
participating in athletic competition; or
making personal or family visits.
When outside the confines of a prerelease facility for women, an incarcerated individual shall carry, at all times, a copy of the form signed by the facility administrator containing the conditions governing the grant of leave.
An incarcerated individual who is on leave is deemed to be in the custody of the Commissioner to the same extent and subject to the same supervision and control as an incarcerated individual who is actually in confinement.
An incarcerated individual who escapes while on leave under this section is subject to the penalties in § 9–404 of the Criminal Law Article.