QUANTICO, Md.- A pre-release unit in Wicomico County where inmates who are ready to transition out of the state correctional system stay will be temporarily closing.
According to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, 39 Poplar Hill Pre-Release Unit officers will be transferred to Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, along with 150 Poplar Hill inmates.
Community programs currently carried out for Poplar Hill inmates will continue and be operated out of the ECI Annex.
The department said the move is not because of an emergency staffing situation at ECI, but simply as a means of relieving ECI officers on extra duty.
Poplar Hill will be re-opened as soon as possible, the department said.
An official date for when the move from Poplar Hill to ECI will occur is not being made public for security reasons but officials said it can be expected to happen over the next two weeks.
