North Branch Correctional Institution, correctional institution near Cumberland, Maryland, United States
North Branch Correctional Institution is a high-security prison in Allegany County that has been opening in phases since 2003 and is designed to eventually hold about 1,400 inmates. The facility features nearly 500 digital cameras, sensors to detect suspicious movement, cells constructed from solid concrete with no seams, and a central control room staffed by only two people who can oversee doors, cameras, and water supply across the entire complex.
The prison was created to replace older facilities that suffered from serious safety problems and frequent violence. Since opening in 2003, it has become one of the first U.S. prisons to implement such advanced technological security systems.
Visitors must pass through metal detectors and should avoid clothing with metal parts to prevent delays at entry. Visiting hours are scheduled, and you need to register by midday before your visit. Phones and electronic devices must be secured in your car before entering the facility.
The facility is monitored by only two staff members from a central control room that manages all doors, cameras, and water supply across the entire complex. This efficient design allows monitoring of a large number of inmates with minimal staff, making it one of the most technologically advanced prisons in the country.
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