FAQs

FAQs About Ordering

1. How do I register as a customer?
   New customers: you will need to complete the “New User ID Registration” form. This form will confirm your validation and once approved, you will receive an email with your temporary password. Existing customers: you may “log in” from the homepage or at the time of checkout.
2. Where can I locate the most current pricing?
   The prices quoted in our catalog are subject to change with approval from the Department of General Services. Therefore, the current prices of individual items may differ from the prices quoted in our catalog. Please refer to our website for the most current pricing.
3. How do I place an order?
   You may place an order using MCE's PO Submission portal or our E-commerce Store.
4. Whom do I contact for assistance with placing my order?
   For assistance with placing orders please contact the Sales department HERE.
5. How do I check the status of my order?
   Please contact Customer Service Representative at (410) 540-5454 (furniture); (410) 540-5456 (textiles) or (410) 540-5555 (graphics). Please have either your purchase order number or your customer order number available. To view delivery times on our standard products, please refer to Delivery Times.
6.  Whom do I contact for billing questions?
    Please contact our Accounts Receivable department at (410) 540-5420. They will be more than glad to assist you with any questions.
7. What are your shipping charges?
   Effective July 1, 2009, any order $25.00 or less with have an $8.00 shipping fee. There are no shipping and handling charges for orders over $25.00 when shipping within the State of Maryland.
8. Are any of your products environmentally preferable?
   Yes, we have furniture and cleaning products that are environmentally preferable. Our furniture is SCS Global certified and our cleaning products are Green Seal certified.
9. How do I obtain a waiver from MCE?
   Each waiver request is granted on a one time case by case basis and is not good for future purchases. Verbal requests will not be accepted. Please review the Waiver Request Process for more information.

FAQs About MCE

1. What does Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE) do?
   We provide structured programming and vocational training to incarcerated individuals to help to increase employability upon release, enhance safety and security by reducing prison idleness, and produce quality goods and services while remaining a financially self-supporting State agency.
2. Who can purchase from Maryland Correctional Enterprises?
   The sale of products and services produced by MCE is limited to state and local government agencies, state contractors, political subdivisions, non-profit organizations, and as permitted under the Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification Program of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.  
3. Are you self-supporting? What does that mean?
   MCE is self-supporting. This means that our funding source is independent of the Maryland State General Fund. In order to enhance our programming, we reinvest our revenue into our program by purchasing raw materials, industry-standard equipment, civilian wages, and participant stipends.
4. Do you provide reentry services? If so, what are they?
   Yes, we provide reentry services. In addition to the daily workforce development skills practiced in our standard programming, we offer additional resource connections and home planning to incarcerated individuals, who participated in our program for at least 6 months and are within one to two months of release. Within reentry services, eligible participants are offered a program called C.A.R.E.S., which provides classes to both women and men to help them prepare for their return back to the community.
5. Is your program voluntary?
   Yes, our program is voluntary. In order to participate in our vocational training, participants must apply with the DPSCS Case Management.
6. What are the qualifications to enter the program?
   You must have a high school diploma or a GED and be infraction-free for at least 90 days.
7. What percent of participants end up working for MCE post-release?
   Returning citizens account for approximately 20% of MCE headquarters employees. As MCE personnel are mandated correctional officers, returning citizens are unable to work in institutional positions per COMAR.
8. Does Maryland Correctional Enterprises follow fair labor practices?
   Yes. MCE is committed to providing a fair, safe, and healthy environment for all participants, volunteers, contractors, and staff. Every 3 years, the American Correctional Association audits MCE. Since 2009, MCE maintained 100% compliance with its nationally recognized accreditation program. Accreditation verifies that MCE operates at the highest levels of professionalism and standards of care for our program participants and employees. The accreditation assesses administrative protocols, institutional operations, incarcerated individuals' programs, and safety. 
9. Why is MCE important?
   Although MCE is responsible for producing a variety of products and services across the State, our most important goal is equipping and preparing those in our care with invaluable skills to add to their success as returning citizens. Studies across the nation continue to show that involvement in correctional industry programming has a positive impact on recidivism rates. By offering vocational training services to incarcerated individuals, we are able to improve work habits, attitudes, and skills for the purpose of improving success upon release from a correctional institution. See the most recent national study on correctional industry programming HERE.  One of the top barriers men and women will face post-release is finding stable employment. MCE prepares men and women for their return home by providing them with hard and soft skill training to enhance their chances of finding post-release employment. Oftentimes, men and women enroll in our programming with no previous skills or knowledge. From day one, MCE programming focuses on enhancing the cognitive skills of our participants and affords them the opportunity to learn a trade. More importantly, participants in our program learn the value of teamwork, conflict resolution, time management, adaptability, organization, and many other life skills to help them thrive in both their personal and professional lives.