<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcs" article_name="Correctional Services" number="8-114" title_number="8" title_name="State and Local Correctional System -- Generally" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Standards for Correctional Facilities">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If the Commission determines that a correctional facility is in violation of the minimum mandatory standards, the Commission shall send a compliance plan to the correctional facility.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The compliance plan shall state:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>which minimum mandatory standards the correctional facility has violated;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the time, to be determined by the Commission, that the correctional facility has to address the violations; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>the date that the Commission shall reinspect the correctional facility to determine if the correctional facility has complied with the minimum mandatory standards.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Commission shall send a copy of the compliance plan to the executive and legislative body responsible for the correctional facility.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If, after sending a compliance plan and reinspecting a correctional facility under subsection (a) of this section, the Commission determines that the correctional facility is in violation of the minimum mandatory standards, the Commission shall send a letter of reprimand to the correctional facility.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The letter of reprimand shall state:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>which minimum standards the correctional facility has violated;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the time, to be determined by the Commission but not to exceed 60 days, that the correctional facility has to address the violations; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>the date that the Commission will reinspect the correctional facility to determine if the correctional facility has complied with the minimum mandatory standards.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Commission shall send a copy of the letter of reprimand to the executive and legislative body responsible for the correctional facility.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If, after the Commission has sent a letter of reprimand to a correctional facility under subsection (b) of this section and reinspected the facility, the Commission determines that the correctional facility is in violation of the minimum mandatory standards, the Commission shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>conduct a full standards and performance audit of the correctional facility; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>periodically inspect the correctional facility until compliance is attained and send a report of each inspection to the executive and legislative bodies responsible for the correctional facility.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>When conducting a full standards and performance audit of a correctional facility, the Commission shall examine:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the physical condition of the correctional facility;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the safety and treatment of incarcerated individuals at the correctional facility;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>whether the correctional facility has policies and procedures in place as required by the minimum mandatory standards; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>whether the correctional facility is following the required policies and procedures.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>When conducting a full standards and performance audit, the Commission shall have unrestricted access to the personnel and records of the correctional facility.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>If the Commission lacks the expertise necessary to perform a part of the full standards and performance audit, the Commission may obtain assistance from sources with expertise in the specific standard.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If the Commission needs to obtain assistance, the correctional facility that is being audited shall reimburse the Commission for any cost incurred.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <level label="i">
        <text>After completing a full standards and performance audit, the Commission shall send a letter to the correctional facility.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The letter shall contain:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>a copy of the audit findings, including details on all areas where the correctional facility fails to comply with the minimum mandatory standards;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>a statement of what actions the correctional facility must take in order to comply with the audit findings;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>a date when the correctional facility must comply with the audit findings; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>a statement that the Commission will conduct an unannounced inspection of the correctional facility within a reasonable amount of time after the date specified for compliance and that if the correctional facility fails to comply, the Commission may seek a court order requiring compliance or order all or part of the correctional facility to cease operations.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The Commission shall send a copy of the letter to the executive and legislative bodies responsible for the correctional facility.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Within a reasonable time after the date specified for compliance, the Commission shall conduct an unannounced inspection to verify that the correctional facility has complied with the audit findings.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>If, after performing an audit and unannounced inspection under subsection (c) of this section and holding a hearing on the issue, the Commission determines that a correctional facility has not complied with the audit findings, the Commission shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>petition a circuit court with venue over the proceeding for a court order requiring the correctional facility to comply with the audit findings; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>issue an order to cease operation of the correctional facility or any of its correctional elements, procedures, or functions.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Commission shall provide to a correctional facility reasonable notice of a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Commission may subpoena witnesses and hold public hearings in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article before making a final decision on whether to seek a court order or close a correctional facility or any of its correctional elements, procedures, or functions.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
