Western Maryland Children's Center

State juvenile detention centers house youthful offenders who have been committed to the juvenile criminal system. Inmates in these facilities range in age from 12 to 16 years old in most cases. However, some inmates may be younger or older than this range, although most younger juvenile offenders will remain at a county juvenile facility.

Rehabilitation is one of the main goals of the juvenile justice system, so there are many programs available in these facilities to help these juveniles turn things around. Participation in these programs is usually mandatory. This is one big difference between juvenile facilities and adult correctional facilities. Juveniles at a state detention center must participate in classroom education programs and other rehabilitation programs offered at the facility.

Most state juvenile detention centers house far fewer inmates than adult facilities. Many of these centers only house 25 to 40 juveniles, whereas adult prisons can house a few thousand inmates. These juvenile facilities are intended to be smaller facilities so the staff can have more interaction with the juveniles in an attempt to prepare them for successful adulthood.

How To Find Your Child At Western Maryland Children's Center

Like other Maryland facilities, you can use a simple online inmate locator to find your child at Western Maryland Children's Center. Simply use the locator tool located here to search for your child. If you have their juvenile ID number, this will make the search quick and easy. If you do not have this number, you can also search for your child using their first and last name.

Since a lot of information surrounding juvenile proceedings is not public information, you will not have access to much information on the online search results. While you will be able to determine whether your child is at Western Maryland Children's Center, you may not be able to see information related to charges, court dates, or other sensitive info.

If you are unable to locate your child using the online tool, you can call Western Maryland Children's Center at 410-576-6968. The staff there can assist with locating your child. Since the facility typically has less than 100 juveniles, locating your child should not be extremely difficult. Remember that the staff at the facility have other critical job duties they must perform, so you might be placed on hold for an extended period of time before getting assistance.

Visitation Information

Western Maryland Children's Center encourages visitation by family members of juveniles who are housed here. Regular visitation encourages strong relationships with family members and friends, and it helps increase a juvenile’s odds of success upon their release. Visiting hours occur from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also visiting hours on holidays, but you should call the facility at 410-576-6968 to confirm the schedule on holidays.

To visit a juvenile at the facility, you will need to be on the approved visitation list. You should complete a visitor information form and return it to the facility staff to get on the list. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your full name, address, birth date, and other information to allow the facility to perform a background check on you.

Upon your arrival at the facility, you will need to sign in with valid photo identification. Failure to present a valid photo ID will result in you not being allowed to visit anyone inside. Minors are allowed to visit, but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Do not bring anything into the facility other than your car key and photo ID. No food, drinks, cell phones, or other items are allowed inside. Attempting to sneak any type of contraband into the facility will result in a revocation of your visiting privileges and possibly criminal charges.

Sending Mail/Care Packages To Your Child

Juveniles who are housed at Western Maryland Children's Center are encouraged to communicate with friends and family through the mail. There is no limit to the amount of mail that a detainee may send and receive. There are, however, a few rules that must be followed when it comes to the mail.

Letters and postcards are allowed. They should be written in pencil, blue ink, or black ink. The mail should be metered at the post office and not stamped, and there should be no additional stamps or stickers on the mail. You should send mail to your child at the following address:

Juvenile’s Full Name
Western Maryland Children's Center
18420 Roxbury Road
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

All mail coming to the facility is subject to inspection and being read by the facility staff. Up to five pictures may be included in the mail, although the size of the pictures should not exceed 4” x 6”. Juveniles may also send outgoing mail from the facility. There is no limit to the number of pieces of mail they may send as long as they have the money to pay for the postage.

Stationery and postage may be purchased at the facility commissary. A small postage allowance will be given to those juveniles who are indigent and have no money for postage. When it comes to packages, the rules are slightly different.

Care packages are allowed, although the items contained in the package must be on the approved items list. To find the latest rules on approved items, you should contact the facility at 410-576-6968. Also, remember that all packages must come directly from the supplier.

Phone Calls

Juveniles have access to phones so they can call family members. Phones may be used during daylight hours. Phone calls are limited to 15 minutes in most cases. All phone calls must be paid for by the juvenile or by the recipient of the call. Either the call must be made as a collect call or paid for by the juvenile with money from their account.

No incoming calls to juveniles at the facility are allowed. You will not be able to call the facility and ask to speak to your child. However, in the event of an emergency, you will be allowed to call the facility at 410-576-6968 and leave a message for your child. The message will be passed to your child as soon as possible.

How To Send Your Child Money

Your child will have access to the commissary at Western Maryland Children's Center, where they can shop and purchase items. These items may include snacks, personal care items, or small electronics. There are a few different ways to deposit money into your child’s account.

You may mail a money order to the facility for a deposit to your child’s account. Make sure you include your child’s full name on the money order. Do not send cash or personal checks. Send the money order to the following address:

Child’s Full Name
Western Maryland Children's Center
18420 Roxbury Road
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

You may also deposit money into a child’s account electronically through Western Union or MoneyGram. Finally, you can deposit money in person at the facility. You may bring cash or a money order when you come for visitation and deposit the money with the facility staff.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Programs Offered At Western Maryland Children's Center

There are many rehabilitation programs offered at Western Maryland Children's Center. One of the main goals of Western Maryland Children's Center is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders for their transition back into society. Most juvenile offenders serve fairly short sentences, and these programs can help them recover and prepare for life outside the facility.

Unlike most adult prisons, participation in many of the programs offered at Western Maryland Children's Center is mandatory. First, classroom education programs are offered so that the children can continue their education. For older children, there are various work programs available. These programs help the juveniles learn valuable work skills and prepare for life outside the facility.

Western Maryland Children's Center also offers substance abuse programs for juveniles who suffer from addiction. This can help inmates break their addiction and prevent them from falling back into their old habits. Religious services are also offered, and juveniles may choose to participate in those services.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are examples of juvenile delinquency?

Juvenile delinquency can include a number of different crimes. These crimes can range from disorderly conduct to shoplifting to even more serious crimes like assault or battery. Usually, juvenile delinquents have been charged with a simple misdemeanor. The age at which a juvenile can be charged as an adult varies from state to state, although it usually falls somewhere between 15 to 18 years old. Minors charged with a crime are typically considered juvenile delinquents. These juveniles can sometimes be as young as six to eight years old, but minors that young are usually handed over to their parents instead of being committed to a detention center.

How do prisons work to accommodate juveniles?

Prisons do not typically accommodate juveniles. Juveniles are not placed in the same facility as adults. Juveniles are housed at juvenile detention centers, and these facilities are usually much smaller than adult prisons. Most juvenile detention facilities hold less than 100 children. These facilities work diligently to rehabilitate these children so that they can turn their lives around and re-enter society. Participation in the programs offered at juvenile facilities is mandatory. The children are not given a choice of whether to participate in education classes or other rehabilitation programs.

Can juveniles get the death penalty?

A juvenile cannot be sentenced to the death penalty unless they have been charged as an adult in a capital crime. The United States Supreme Court prohibits children aged 15 and younger from receiving the death penalty. However, some states allow children aged 16 or older to be charged as an adult and potentially receive the death penalty. Other states set that age at 17 or 18 years old. Whether or not the death penalty can be given depends on the specific crime and the state in which the crime was committed.

Do juveniles have the right to due process?

Yes, juveniles have the right to due process. The United States Constitution guarantees due process to everyone in the country - even juveniles. When a juvenile is accused of a crime, the process is similar to the process that is followed when an adult is accused of a crime. The juvenile is either held at a juvenile facility until their trial or released to their parents on bond. Juveniles are guaranteed a fair trial, and they must be found guilty before being sentenced to serve time in a detention center.

What is the most common punishment for juveniles?

The most common punishment for juveniles is probation. Judges in the juvenile system have wide discretion when it comes to sentencing probation. This means that if the juvenile commits another crime within a certain period of time, the penalty will be more severe. In some cases, a juvenile may be sentenced to a short stay in a juvenile detention center. In most cases, juveniles are sentenced to 60 days or less in a detention center, and they may receive additional probation time beyond the time they serve in the detention facility.