Ann S.Kim, Portland Press Herald.
Lance Tapley, The Portland Phoenx
Lance Tapley, The Portland Phoenix
Stephen Betts, Knox Village Soup
Tattoos As A Criminal Act
Lance Tapley, The Portland Phoenix
LD 1095 - "For-Profit Corporate (CCA) Prison Bill"
UPDATE: With M-PAC in agreement, this Bill did not pass. In its place -- a Policy between M-PAC and DOC to facilitate a way to bring Exiles home! To date two exiles have returned under the policy, while two have been turned down and told to reapply after a year. M-PAC volunteers, led by Ron Huber, have worked tirelessly on behalf of these transferred inmates and their Maine families. They are presently planning needed revisions to the policy. If you're interested in assisting, please email maineprisoneradvocacy@yahoo.co
Model Prodigal Sons - Lance Tapley, The Portalnd Phoenix
Deane Brown Photo Courtesy Lance Tapley
Lance Tapley, Portland Phoenix
Portland Phoenix
Arty and Pam Belanger stood on either
side of their son, Arthur Belanger, at
Maine State Prison on Thanksgiving
2011.
Photo courtesy of Pam and Arty Belanger
Keep yourself up to date right here on
"Ongoing News"
Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
L.D. 1500:
-- Listen: LD 1500 - Parole Bill Hearing
-- Maine Voices - Parole, Jeff Libby, Bangor Daily News : Maine should restore parole, home confinement to cut crowding, recidivism: These programs work well in other states, yet Maine doesn't take advantage of them. Why?
LD 1163 - A Resolve to Reform the Treatment of Prisoners in Solitary Confinement
Resolve did not pass. In its place, a Committee, including M-PAC members, is working with MDOC on policy changes in the SMU (supermax) MHU (mental health unit) and general prisoner policies). M-PAC is monitoring progress closely. See more at Solitary Confinement.
M-PAC Lobbying - Maine Legislature
Blogs - Maine Inmates Speak
Sophie Inchains (From Henry, MSP): "Please encourage friends, family, and the public to become interested in what happens here at the prison. It's possible with all your support and sense of direction we can end this counterproductive giant that oppresses and destroys people's lives into an effective process that inspires and encourages them to overcome their shortfalls. We believe with the right guidance amazing change can happen that will produce fruitful lives for all, including society." NB: This wonderful blog was blocked for inmate writers by MDOC policies. It has now been partially restored.
Luke Rioux, Esq
MSP WARDEN FIRED
Stephen Betts and Alex Barber
Stephen Betts, Bangor Daily News
But the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition has a different perspective on the situation.
Lance Tapley, Portland Phoenix
Portland Press Herald
Bill Nemitz, Portland Press Herald
A.J. Higgins, MPBN
Thomas Bell, Portland Press
Heather Steeves, BDN
Tom Bell, Morning Sentinel
Maine's Jail Problems
Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
____________
Jay Field, MPBN
Doug Harlow, Kennebeck Journal
Jennifer Osborn, Fenceviewer, EA
David Hench, Portland Press Herald
Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News
Ann Kim, Portland Press Herald
Ann S. Kim, Portland Press Herald
Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
MDOC Medical Care Changes
Lance Tapley, The Portand Phoenix
Eric Russell, BDN
Zach Heiden, MCLU
Leavitt v CMS et al
Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News
George Swanson — a musician, priest and prison advocate who lives in Southwest Harbor — has written a folk opera called “Natural Causes Killed Victor” that is based on reports and letters from inmates that surround the death of inmate Victor Valdez.
Victor Valdez before he was sent to Maine State Prison, where he died in 2009. (Courtesy of: Olga Rivera)
Skip Fraley
will play the
Washtub
bass.
What Incarceration Costs Taxpayers
Vera Institute of Justice
Supreme Court
"Strip Searches"
Daniel Dunkle, Village Soup
Hancock County Assistant DA,
Mary Kellett
MSP Warden,
Patricia Barnhart
August 16th and 17th, 2013.
All proceeds donated to food pantries on MDI.
Stephen Betts, Bangor Daily News