Baltimore City Council Introduces Bill to Ban Private Detention Centers

The proposed legislation aims to prohibit private detention centers through zoning regulations.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen introduced a bill to ban private detention centers in the city. The bill would enforce the ban through zoning regulations, preventing private contractors from operating such facilities. Cohen stated that individuals who commit crimes should be processed through the normal judicial system rather than be held in private detention centers.

Why it matters

The proposed ban on private detention centers in Baltimore is part of a broader effort by local governments to limit the use of private detention facilities, which have faced criticism for poor conditions and lack of oversight. This move aligns with similar actions taken by nearby counties to restrict immigration enforcement activities.

The details

The bill introduced by Cohen aims to create a new zoning category that would prohibit private detention centers from operating in Baltimore. This would effectively ban the use of private contractors to run such facilities within the city. Cohen emphasized that the proposal would not impact federal buildings, but would target private detention centers through local zoning codes.

  • The bill was introduced by Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen on March 10, 2026.
  • The Baltimore City Council is also considering another bill related to immigration enforcement, known as the Safe Spaces and Communities bill.

The players

Zeke Cohen

The Baltimore City Council President who introduced the bill to ban private detention centers in the city.

Odette Ramos

A Baltimore City Councilwoman who stated that the issue of private detention centers is "very deeply personal" for her community.

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What they’re saying

“People who commit acts of violence, commit acts of crime should go through the normal judicial process. It is not just to have private detention centers in the city of Baltimore, and we've seen the Department of Homeland Security's overreliance on private detention centers.”

— Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City Council President (wbal.com)

“This is very deeply personal for me — for members of my community to be separated from their families, ripped from the arms of their loved ones.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Baltimore City Council will continue to consider the proposed bill to ban private detention centers, as well as the related Safe Spaces and Communities bill, in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

Baltimore's efforts to prohibit private detention centers reflect a growing trend among local governments to limit the use of such facilities, which have faced criticism for their treatment of detainees and lack of oversight. This move aligns with similar actions taken by nearby counties to restrict immigration enforcement activities, highlighting the role of municipal governments in addressing these complex issues.