<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcs" article_name="Correctional Services" number="3-302" title_number="3" title_name="Division of Correction" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prerelease Unit for Women">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner shall operate a comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease facility for eligible individuals that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>is a separate structure in which the services specified in § 3–305 of this subtitle are provided;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>is architecturally designed and constructed to facilitate the provision of services specified in § 3–305 of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>includes:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>features that:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>balance physical safety and security with visual privacy and dignity; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>encourage rehabilitation by providing as close to a noncarceral environment as practicable;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>housing units with double and single occupancy;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>handicapped accessible rooms, wheelchair ramps, and designated handicapped parking spaces;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>bathrooms that maximize privacy, dignity, and security of residents, staff, and visitors;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>administrative offices;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>indoor and outdoor meeting, lounge, and visiting spaces, including family visiting spaces;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>classrooms;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>a career center;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ix">
        <text>a nonemergency medical suite;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="x">
        <text>on–site recreational, creative, and athletic facilities; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="xi">
        <text>access to public transportation.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A prerelease facility for women shall be:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>located in Baltimore City on a site that is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>not less than 3 acres in land area; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>not located within one–half mile of any existing correctional facility; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>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.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Department shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>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;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>begin construction or renovation of the facility on or before July 1, 2028, or not later than 6 months thereafter;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>complete the construction or renovation on or before March 1, 2031, or not later than 6 months thereafter; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>begin operating and providing services in the facility on or before September 1, 2031, or not later than 6 months thereafter.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
