Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced in September that the state plans to close the Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup, a medium security prison in Anne Arundel County, by June 30, 2026, citing aging infrastructure, high maintenance costs, and a shift toward more sustainable correctional operations.
The closure of MCI-J is expected to save Maryland taxpayers roughly $21 million per year in operating costs. State officials say the move will also allow the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to expand access to education, vocational training, and re-entry programming by relocating services and staff to nearby facilities.
“MCI-J has long outrun its facility lifespan and we refuse to kick the can further down the road,” Moore said in a statement. “Our plan to close this facility will save taxpayers money, ease strain on our hardworking and dedicated correctional staff, and honor the state’s commitment to meeting every Marylander with humanity, including incarcerated individuals.”…