BMORENEWS.com

(HAGERSTOWN - May 9, 2008) – Yesterday, Governor Martin O’Malley visited the Maryland Correctional Training Center (MCTC), where he toured the facility, met with Correctional Officers, and toured the MCTC K9 Unit.  The visit capped the Governor’s “Capital for a Day” in Hagerstown, where he met with local veterans, community and business leaders, and residents.  During his visit, Governor O’Malley met with approximately 25 Correctional Officers to field questions from them, and to discuss new policy initiatives the Governor pushed to benefit officers like them.  

“I’m proud to have made public safety a cornerstone of the O’Malley/Brown administration,” said Governor O’Malley.  “I’m also proud that we were able to secure funding for additional correctional officers, stab-proof vests which will provide vital protection to those who work in this facility, and an innovative K9 training program that will enhance safety through increase contraband seizures.  Correctional Officers represent a unique and critical part of the criminal justice system, and they deserve the support and protection it takes to do the job well.”

“We’re honored to welcome Governor O’Malley to the Maryland Correctional Training Center on behalf of our over 600 employees,” said Warden Ken Horning, a 38 year veteran of the Division of Corrections.  "We have an outstanding workforce that delivers a safe environment and programs that will help those who are willing to change and return to society as productive citizens. We're thrilled that the Governor chose MCTC as a place to visit."

Following the meeting, Governor O’Malley toured the Center’s K9 Training Facility, where Division of Correction officials have pioneered a program to breed their own contraband-detecting dogs.  In addition to saving the state significant money by breeding them at the facility, the program allows for faster training of the animals. 

"We're saving taxpayers thousands of dollars and producing fantastic contraband-detecting dogs at the same time,” said Major Peter Anderson, Commander of the Division of Correction K9 Unit.  “It's a win for everybody:  safer prisons for staff, less inmate violence due to contraband, and a big savings for the public."

The dogs at the facility are trained to detect contraband including cell phones that are smuggled in to prisoners in objects like televisions and other packages.  Due to increased vigilance and efforts by Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, cell phone seizures increased to from just two in 2007 to 34 since January of 2008 at MCTC alone.  Statewide, similar efforts have resulted in a 122% increase in cell seizures.   

MCTC currently employs approximately 620 people.  The three Hagerstown prisons combine for more than 1,600 jobs, and total approximately 7,000 inmates.  All are medium-security institutions.  Representatives from all three facilities were present for the Governor’s meeting.  Hagerstown also is the regional headquarters of Maryland Correctional Enterprises, which operates numerous shops in the area providing job training and valuable skills for inmates.

Tags: governor, Maryland