Key takeaways:
- Nineteen correctional officers at Roxbury have been administratively charged
- Eight medical staff members banned from Maryland state prison facilities
- Inmate Colin Wolf was found deceased on May 20
- State Sen. Paul Corderman criticizes leadership at Roxbury
Nineteen correctional officers at the Roxbury Correctional Institution, located south of Hagerstown, Maryland, have been administratively charged following the tragic discovery of an inmate’s body on May 20. This information comes from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
The department’s Intelligence and Investigative Division, in collaboration with the Maryland State Police, is currently conducting an investigation into what they describe as “potential criminal misconduct” involving officers and staff at Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI), as noted in a July 15 email from the department.
Simultaneously, an administrative review of staff behavior is also taking place.
In addition to the nineteen correctional officers, eight medical personnel have also been administratively charged and subsequently banned from all state prison facilities.
These actions stem from the discovery of inmate Colin Wolf’s body around 11:15 p.m. on May 20, as confirmed by spokesperson Keith Martucci from the public safety department.
According to reporting by The Baltimore Banner on July 15, an officer reportedly requested to see Wolf during his rounds, but Wolf’s cellmate indicated that he was asleep and refused to wake him.
Internal reports reviewed by The Banner indicate that a boot print was found on Wolf’s head.
Wolf’s father, a retired detective from the Baltimore Police, was informed by investigators that his son might have been deceased in his cell for several hours, if not days, as reported by The Banner.
Roxbury, also referred to as RCI, operates as a medium-security level II facility, part of a prison complex along Roxbury Road that includes both the Maryland Correctional Training Center and the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown, according to the correctional services’ website.
Actions taken by Maryland public safety officials
The administrative investigation sought to assess the actions of RCI staff that “failed to meet the agency’s standards and commitment to public safety and the well-being of those in their care,” as stated by the department’s communications office.
To ensure accountability, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) has initiated disciplinary actions against the nineteen correctional officers. However, they remain obligated to comply with the Correctional Officer Bill of Rights, which means disciplinary measures could range from lesser sanctions to termination.
The email also emphasized the department’s commitment to the safety of its staff, inmates, and the public by outlining several measures taken:
• Immediate and essential actions were taken to preserve evidence and secure the crime scene.
• Higher-ranking supervisors, including lieutenants or captains, now accompany tier officers to ensure that inmate wellness checks are conducted properly.
• Sergeants have been assigned to various posts to support line staff across the facility.
• Mental health professionals have been deployed to the area of the incident to assess the well-being of neighboring inmates and provide confidential opportunities for witnesses to come forward.
Additionally, the department has announced two administrative changes at RCI. The security chief has departed from state employment, and the warden is set to leave the position as of August 1.
As the disciplinary process is ongoing, further comments from the department are not currently possible.
On July 4, multiple stabbings occurred at RCI, which were not life-threatening, according to Martucci. These altercations took place during a riot involving inmates believed to be associated with the MS-13 and Black Guerrilla Family gangs.
State Senator Paul Corderman, representing parts of Washington and Frederick counties, shared a letter on July 13 with DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, addressing concerns regarding safety inside correctional facilities.
“The men and women working in these facilities, along with the incarcerated individuals, deserve assurance that department leadership is taking comprehensive measures to ensure a safe and supportive working environment through appropriate staffing, effective security protocols, proper training, and robust institutional oversight,” Corderman stated in his correspondence.
Having visited RCI amidst rising tensions and violence, Corderman expressed deep concerns about the facility’s deteriorating conditions and staffing levels.
Furthermore, he highlighted a history of inmate deaths at RCI and expressed fears of potential future incidents, particularly regarding staff safety.
Reportedly, there have been at least three inmate deaths at RCI in the past 17 months that are currently under investigation by the state police homicide unit. The cases involve:
• Lawrence Antonio Borom, 21, found with severe head injuries on March 13, 2025.
• Kelvin Hite, 27, discovered unresponsive in his cell on May 4, 2026.
• Colin Wolf, 32, who was found unresponsive on May 20, 2026.
The investigations surrounding Wolf and Hite remain ongoing, according to a state police spokesperson.
Community Response
In a statement shared through the department’s communications office, Secretary Scruggs expressed her outrage regarding the actions of a small group of officers and staff who failed to uphold the agency’s principles. “I am committed to holding each individual accountable for their actions and taking the necessary steps to ensure that such occurrences never happen again,” she said. Scruggs also reiterated the department’s dedication to rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates, stating that the misconduct of a few undermines the significant work of many.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3, which represents unionized correctional officers in Maryland prisons, offered a perspective on the ongoing challenges. Linda He, a spokeswoman for AFSCME Council 3, expressed concern that violence at Roxbury is not a new issue. She emphasized the necessity for adequate staffing and training, arguing that without these measures, both staff and inmates are at heightened risk of violence and injury.
She criticized DPSCS for relying on inadequate solutions, such as mandatory overtime, rather than addressing the root causes like low pay and poor working conditions for staff, suggesting that these factors contribute to a spike in violence within state facilities.
The eight medical personnel who were administratively charged and barred from state facilities were employed by Centurion, which serves as the medical contractor for the prison system. A spokesperson for Centurion could not be reached for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.
Reporting by Julie E. Greene, The Herald-Mail / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
