What are the rules when you are on work release for the Baltimore county detention center?

Answer 1

There's work release wherein you work for a Baltimore County detail, and there's work release wherein you have outside employment.

If you are work release recommended, then you need to go through the process and its not a short one.

As someone who has unfortunately spent some time in BCDC, the shortest I have ever seen for an individual to start working is about 2 weeks, for most it's a bit more.

Work release rules are common sense when you think about it.

The point is for you to just leave the jail, but otherwise you're still in jail. So, no smoking, can't drive, no drugs or alcohol, etc. Since they want to keep tabs on you, you can't leave your place of work. Where I worked, there was a food place next door. It's technically not allowed for me to walk from one property to another in order to pick up food. You must remain at the location. For people who have jobs where they are moving around multiple locations such as contractors or landscapers, you simply need to call in and let them know you're next location before you leave the last one. If you are keeping communication open and being honest with them, they will work with you.

You have a set time to leave the jail and a set time to arrive. They give you time for travel based on whether you are taking the bus or have a private ride.

You can work a maximum of 48 hours per week, however that breaks down. And you can be outside of the jail for 12 hours a day maximum, including travel time. If your travel time is 2 hours each way, because you take the bus, you can work exactly 8 hours. If your travel time would be 3 hours each way, then you could only work 6 hours per day. You must work at least 30 hours a week and your employer *must* have workers compensation. If you get hurt on the job, the jail still wants their money.

The jail charges inmates $65.00 per week rent along with a $100 security deposit. After the urinalysis fees, you can get $75.00 back at the end of your sentence.

Another thing is that if you have anything going on at the jail, that takes priority and you will not be working that day. Parole hearing, doctor's appointment, etc. You don't do what you need to do and then head to work, you just don't work that day.

You must provide the jail with your paychecks. They need to see how many hours you worked, tally it all up against however long you were away from the jail.

If you don't have an outside job, then you are put on a Baltimore County detail. This is essentially slave labor for 3-world country pay rates.

The details are

Highways -> picking up trash on highways and county roads which pays $5.00 per day.

MES -> Working at the landfill directing traffic or separating bottles, $5.00 per day

Recs & Parks 1 & 2 -> Hard landscaping work, $5.00

Floor cleaner -> Doing the floors in the places where other inmates can't go in the jail, $3.00 per day (only work for 3 hours though and its from 12am to 3am).

Docks and Grounds -> This sucks the most. You work most of the day, albeit you don't do a ton of work. Pays $1.00 per day.

There might be one or two other details but I can't remember them. If you're on a Baltimore County Detail, then you won't have to pay for room and board, naturally. Who could afford $65.00 a week on $5.00 or $1.00 per day?

This genuinely shows how the corrections system in county jails is more about profit than reducing recidivism or protecting the public. After you make your $25.00 a week, they expect you to spend it all on commissary, which is extremely expensive. $1.00 radios are sold for $35.00. Ramen noodles are sold for $0.70 each. $0.99 bars of soap are sold for around $3.99. But you buy the stuff because you need it and you're not allowed to bring anything in.

I strongly recommend you just stay out of trouble in the first place.