Technology enhancements in detention centers is setting a new standard for facility operations and returning citizen outcomes.
During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, “Rewiring Corrections: Enhancing Security, Education, and Rehabilitation Through Technology,” conference attendees got to hear about the myriad of ways local detention centers are leveraging technology to improve operations and outcomes.
The session began with an offender-centered approach, highlighted by Queen Anne County Detention Center Captain of Operations, Briana Cottman. Captain Cottman touched on all the ways incarcerated individuals are able to use tablets and integrated technology to research their cases, take classes to earn certificates, access mental health and wellness resources, and even have video calls directly with family members and children at almost all hours of the day. Easing access to resources and beneficial programming has improved the mental and behavioral health of inmates so they can focus on rehabilitation and returning to their communities.
Warden Mary Ann Thompson from the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center agreed with these vital improvements to the quality of life for inmates but also touched on ways that new automated enhancements and technology upgrades have made operations safer for residents and staff. This includes everything from real-time updates to mandatory wellness checks and status changes to protecting the health of inmates and community members with waste system notifications and safeguards for harmful substances.
Ben Stevenson, Director of the the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, reiterated these sentiments as well as highlighted ways they are leaning into technology in Montgomery County by piloting AI driven analysis tools to improve efficiencies across operations and resident outcomes. By leveraging tools that can automate analysis, they can identify strategies that are working and those that are not from end to end within a facility.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference: