WCI is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed
All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - maximum facility.
The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.
If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders
WCI is a State - maximum state correctional facility in Cumberland, MD, operated by the Maryland Department of Corrections. Inmates serve sentences ranging from one year to life and have access to programs including education, vocational training, and work assignments. This page covers how to locate an inmate, schedule visits, make calls, send money, and stay connected throughout their sentence at WCI.
Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.
While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.
The WCI, located in Allegany County, has been a significant component of the state's corrections infrastructure since its establishment in 1996. As a maximum-security facility designed to house male inmates, its primary function is to securely confine individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes and pose a threat to public safety.
With an inmate capacity of 1793 beds, the Western Correctional Institution plays a crucial role in Maryland's corrections system. It operates in close proximity to other correctional facilities, including the North Branch Correctional Institution, the Allegany County Detention Center and the Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland. This clustering of correctional institutions in the area underscores the importance of the Cumberland region in managing the state's incarcerated population.
The site where the Western Correctional now stands has a historical background, formerly hosting a plant of the American Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Co. Ltd. However, with the closure of the plant in 1983, the land was repurposed for the construction of the prison. This transformation reflects the evolving needs of the community and the state, prioritizing public safety and the administration of justice.
Over the years, the WCI has housed several notable inmates whose crimes have garnered public attention. Among them is Nicholas Waggoner Browning, who infamously murdered his parents and two younger brothers in 2008. Another high-profile inmate was James Allen Kulbicki, a Baltimore City police officer convicted of murdering his mistress. His case gained widespread media coverage and was even adapted into a television movie titled "Double Jeopardy." Similarly, Michael Thompson, a former Baltimore police officer, was sentenced to life in prison for murder, avoiding the death penalty. Additionally, the prison has housed individuals like Raymont Hopewell, a serial killer active from 1999 to 2005, whose crimes shocked the community and law enforcement agencies.
One of the most infamous former inmates of the WCI was Joe Metheny, a notorious serial killer. Metheny, who committed heinous crimes, spent his final days at the facility before passing away from natural causes in 2017. His presence at the prison added to its reputation as a facility housing some of Maryland's most dangerous and notorious criminals.
Overall, the Western Correctional Institution continues to fulfill its vital role in the state's corrections system, ensuring public safety and administering justice while also managing notable and high-risk inmates within its confines.
