<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 12.02.17.02" title_num="12" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="17" heading="Handling and Storage of Inmate Property.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Inmate Property Rights. The Commissioner shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A warden protects the property rights of an inmate when a Division rule or directive requires that an inmate release the inmate's personal property to Division custody for safekeeping;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An employee exercises reasonable care of property which is removed from an inmate;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A warden disciplines an employee when employee negligence causes loss or damage to inmate property.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that a warden establishes a secure area as a property room. This area shall be used to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Secure inmate property which is temporarily out of the custody of an inmate; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Store inmate valuables under Division directives.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that a warden establishes procedures to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Control and account for inmate property which is in the care of the institution; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure that excess or unallowable property is disposed of under Division directive.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Inventory of Inmate Property.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that inmate property which is taken into institutional custody is inventoried to establish an accurate record of the property received.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>When inmate property cannot be inventoried, the Commissioner shall ensure that each warden establishes procedures to ensure that an employee packages, seals, and places the property in a secure area.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that when sealed property is received by the institution and cannot be inventoried at the time of receipt, the property remains sealed and is placed in a secure area, with documentation indicating the name of the officer receiving and securing the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that when an inmate receives a housing change, the inmate is permitted only those items which are authorized by a warden and established by institutional directive.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Allowable Property.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An inmate may possess only items authorized by Division directive.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that unauthorized property is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Sent to an address provided by an inmate, at an inmate's expense;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Released to a visitor who has been authorized by the inmate to receive an inmate's property; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Disposed of under Division directive.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>