In some cases when an incarcerated person is determined to require close supervision and/or needs to be segregated from the general population (GP), Maryland Department of Corrections (DOC) may place them into Restrictive Housing (Special Confinement Housing), otherwise known as “the hole” or “Seg” or “the SHU”. Inmates in restrictive housing typically lose the majority (or all) of their privileges, such as commissary, books, extra clothing, etc.
This type of housing is normally categorized into 2 main categories, administrative segregation and disciplinary segregation. Within disciplinary segregation, there are several levels of housing starting with basic disciplinary segregation, and moving up to more secure housing – such as protective custody, a behavior management program (BMP), and/or Maximum II Security – Structured Housing (MIISH).
Below are some notes and details on each type of specialized housing:
Administrative Segregation- Someone may be moved into Administrative Segregation due to having been determined to be an escape risk, for medical or mental health reasons, pending investigations into possible safety issues, misbehavior and/or inability to conform to rules and regulations. For example, refusing to bunk with a cell mate due to personality issues, may end someone up in administrative segregation for a few days or weeks.
Disciplinary Segregation– If an inmate is found guilty for a rule violation such as fighting or possessing contraband , they may be placed in the basic level of disciplinary segregation. Case management should meet with the inmate within 30 days to review the finding and sanction, with additional reviews occurring every 30 days after to determine progress and review timeline for return to general population.
Behavior Management Program (BMP) – This type of disciplinary housing is for an inmate who threatens the security of the facility, has a pattern of violent acts, drugs or other contraband are involved, or has used physical threats or coercion against other inmates or staff. Movement into a BMP may require transfer to a different facility that has a Behavior Management Program in place, as not all facilities have one. A BMP placement is a level above normal Disciplinary Segregation.
Maximum II Security – Structured Housing (MIISH)– Disciplinary housing dedicated to address the most serious behavioral concerns. Inmates will have goals set and will be subject to regular reviews from a multi-disciplinary team. An inmate in MIISH typically has been placed on disciplinary segregation or other restrictive housing in the past before being escalated to this level.
Protective Custody – Other efforts will have been fully explored before moving someone into Protective Custody, and only when required for the protection of the inmate. Alternatives that DOC will consider include: (1) transfer to a different housing unit within the facility, (2) transfer to another facility, (3) transfer of any documented enemies to another institution, (4) transfer to another state, or (5) assignment to home detention if eligible.
Released in February 2020, The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional issued the annual Report on Restrictive Housing for Fiscal Year 2019.
– Approximately 8% of the incarcerated population was on some type of restrictive housing when analyzing the data from a point-in-time measurement.
– 27.5% of inmates in restrictive housing were on Administrative Segregation and 72.5% were on Disciplinary Segregation
– The average amount of days an inmate is on restrictive housing is 58 days for Administrative Segregation and 32 days for Disciplinary Segregation
– Among men the most common age group for Administrative and Disciplinary Segregation is 26-30, while for women the age group is 31-35.
While the descriptions above are for Maryland Department of Corrections, there will be differences state by state or even within the county jail systems, but the basics remain essentially the same. If an inmate is determined to have violated rules or regulations that are significant, he or she may be moved to some form of restrictive housing.
For more information on restrictive housing or to schedule a free consultation, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation strategy session.