What Happens During Intake at Middle River Regional Jail: A Timeline for Families
The first hours after someone is booked can feel like a black box. Here's what happens during intake at Middle River Regional Jail—so you know what to expect, when your loved one might call, and what you can do in the meantime.
During intake, staff collect and inventory your loved one's personal belongings. Everything they arrived with gets documented and placed in a property bag - it won't stay with them on the housing unit.
Note: Intake includes a search. Personal items won't stay on your loved one once processing begins - everything goes through property procedures.
Staff also take photos during booking. This is standard procedure for creating the jail's intake record.
Your loved one receives an initial housing assignment during intake. This happens while they're still being processed in the intake area.
After booking, your loved one gets the opportunity to make two phone calls. If you're waiting to hear from them, this is typically when families first learn where they are and what they need.
Visiting access starts with the visitation list created during Classification. Your loved one can list up to five people, plus one religious visitor. One thing to know: staff won't tell you over the phone whether you're on someone's list. The most reliable way to confirm is through your loved one once they can communicate.
Issued on Admission
- ✓ Toothbrush
- ✓ Toothpaste
- ✓ Bar of soap
- ✓ Cup
- ✓ Spork
- ✓ Comb
- ✓ Laundry bag
- ✓ Blanket
- ✓ Two sheets
- ✓ Towel
- ✓ Washcloth
- ✓ One pair of shoes
- ✓ Mattress/pillow
- ✓ One inmate uniform (shirt and pants)
- ✓ One pair of shorts
- ✓ One roll of toilet paper
- ✓ Inmate handbook
Tip: Because Middle River Regional Jail issues initial jail property during intake, you usually don’t need to rush to provide basic toiletries or bedding right away.
Your best first step? Be ready for those two phone calls after booking. When the call comes, write down the exact name your loved one is booked under and any details they share. Having that information in one place makes everything easier going forward.
- Save the basics from the first call - Keep their full name as booked and any details they give you during those two phone calls.
- Ask about the visitation list during Classification - Middle River Regional Jail uses a list of up to five people (plus one religious visitor), and the jail won’t confirm list names over the phone.
- Plan around the list, not assumptions - If you’re not sure whether you’re listed, the clearest confirmation usually has to come from your loved one once they can communicate again.
Middle River Regional Jail issues a standard set of admission items - basic hygiene supplies, linens, and clothing. If you were about to rush out and buy essentials, you can pause. Wait for your loved one's first calls to find out what they actually need. Many basics are already provided at intake, along with the inmate handbook.
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