Operations: September Operations
MPAC: Board consists of 7 members, Co-Chair Julian Rowand, Co-Chair Carla Hunt, Secretary Thraza Rosie Hylton,
Board members Craig Williams, Board member Rosalani Moore, Board member Reese Remington, Board member Foster Bates
MPAC currently has a staff size of 11 individuals. Joseph Jackson, Peter Lehman, Joelle Jackson, Darlene George, Brandon Brown, Andre Hicks, Antonio Jackson, Linda Small, Sammy Basu, Nicole Murphy and Kathy Elliot.
MPAC- Assistant Director Jan Collins is no longer with the organization.
MPAC- Hired Conscious Revolution to support us through this process.
MPAC- got clear that we offer 1 week severance pay for every year on staff, health stipend and career coaching sessions with a trained job coach.
MPAC- Contracted Coordinators Jon Courtney, and Adriane Herman support art programming within the MDOC. Incarcerated contractor Gordon Perry supports comms.
MPAC has 12 volunteers. Lee Urban, Doug Dunbar, Jamie Peloquin, Leslie Manning, Olivia Hochstadt, Lani Graham, Nicole Lund, Sarah Johnson, Craig McEwen, Al Cleveland, Diane Martin and Cyndi Tucci. Special thanks for their work and dedication.
MPAC Mission. Value, and Purpose statements
Our Mission is to support and advocate for Maine’s incarcerated citizens, their families and friends.
Our Purpose is to reduce Maine’s use of incarceration by advocating for a criminal legal system that is ethical, humane and restorative.
Our Vision is of a justice system that is restorative. It supports humanity in every person, and reflects and creates transformation and accountability.
MPAC Staff meet weekly to ensure we are in alignment.
MPAC- Community facilitators support community volunteers.
MPAC staff members regularly communicate with incarcerated residents and formerly incarcerated individuals.
MPAC staff meeting in-person with incarcerated residents at MSP, Bolduc, MCC, SMWRC.
MPAC Strategy Meeting is the second Saturday of each month from 10-12.
MPAC - Legislative Strategy Meeting every Tuesday at 5:30 pm.
Arts Programming Team - meets weekly Thursday mornings at 8:00am.
MPAC Website Committee: meets weekly, Wednesday at 5:00 pm
MPAC - Development and Communications Committee meets bi-weekly on Mondays at 8:00 am.
MPAC - grant committee meets weekly Tuesday evenings.
MPAC- Paco's Place reentry project meets bi-weekly
MPAC - Ways of Working committee meets as needed.
MPAC - staff continues to support formerly incarcerated individuals in reentry, with transport, peer to peer support. One on one and in group settings.
On-going: Advocacy, correspondence, and Direct Dialogue.
September MPAC Strategy Meeting - the Community Strategy Meeting was well attended. Linda, Jon and Nicole pasted up “can art change the world” mural in Rockland. The meeting focused on statewide voter education, registration, and engagement, including incarcerated and reentry communities.
MDOC - Acting Commissioner Tony Cantillo in one of his first acts as Commissioner submitted a letter of support for Paco’s Place.
MDOC - MPAC Executive Director met with Deputy Commissioner Cantillo to discuss visitation approvals for Nicole Murphy and Cuba Jackson.
MDOC - MPAC Executive Director met with Commissioner Cantillo to discuss Leo Hylton's computer ban. Internal politics around personnel slowing resolution.
MDOC- MPAC has been invited to the table to review and edit MDOC’S tech policy.
MDOC - MPAC has been invited to a committee led by MDOC to review the Earned-time Bill.
MCC Men - Leslie approved to attend RAC meetings with the men at MCC. Leslie reports positive progress.
MCC Longtimers - Leslie Manning continues to meet monthly with the Women in Windham.
MCC Longtimers - MPAC Coordinator Darlene George facilitated Beyond the Bars conference. The event was well attended.
MCC Longtimers- The NAACP national branch approved the women at MCC to establish their own chapter.
MCC Reentry - reports of a challenging situation at the reentry center, with concerns about arbitrary disciplinary actions, harassment, and retaliation against residents who show leadership.
MCC Longtimers- reports of disparities between men and women. Women are not allowed to give donations. The men are! There are reports of various inconsistencies across facilities
Advocacy Coalition- reduced our meetings to monthly.
Pathways to Promise- Andre supported youth to share art at Beyond the Bars.
Pathways to Promise - Youth Programming: Dre reported that the men’s group and a music mixtape project are progressing well. He participated in a golf fundraiser for the Zachary Project.
MSP-NAACP - requested to exit our fiscal sponsorship agreement. Request granted.
No Penobscot County Jail: incarcerated Coordinator attends meetings Sundays at 4pm. Zoom Link
Projects:
Paco's Place- Groundbreaking to be held October 30th at 2pm. We have a curated invite list that includes stakeholders.
Reentry Support- MPAC supported 11 individuals with mutual aid.
MDOC - SCCP meeting with DOC ongoing work for FAQ document and workshop
MIO/MPAC- the weekly drop in group resumed. Since the beginning of the year 40 individuals have dropped in.
Inside Vision- PMA Tehachapi screening (Sept 11, 2026): ~50 attendees; panel with Ashley Hamilton and Canter Chance; successful engagement.
Inside Vision - MCC co-ed film screening: Sam Shoup facilitated an emotional talk-back with Terrence Jeppe and Corey Belcher. Mountain View screening: smaller attendance, strong inside discussion.
Inside Vision - potential collaboration with author Stephen King for a Shawshank novella reading.
Inside Vision- Adriane starting the second round of Mindful Murmurations.
Mainecare- Medicaid program to cover services for eligible people up to 60 days before they’re released from jail or prison.
MSP - Jericho Circle event at MSP: ~12 attended; Leo and Dan present.
Pathways to Promise - held our final outdoor retreat for youth by the lake.
Brennan Center- Brennan Center article about Maine
Broad Based Organizing- MPAC has been working with Groundwater and BBO. We have to decide if we want to commit long-term. This involves paying dues of 1% of our total budget?
Communications:
MPAC - Nicole Murphy is MPAC’S Communications lead.
Website - Nicole is working with Jamie to update our website.
Instagram- Nicole has connected our Facebook page to a new Instagram account.
Social media engagement is up since Nicole came on board.
Website- Nicole has updated our events page, and Directors Reports.
Google Group: Peter continues to lead and manage the Google Group. Tension remains about its function and purpose.
MPAC - new YouTube channel MPAC YouTube channel
Public engagement
Lewiston Recovery Rally - MPAC tabled and presented at the event. It was well attended.
Linda spoke at Lithgow library
Common Ground Fair (Unity): MPAC volunteers Janet and Sarah tabled and did a presentation on our legislative agenda.
Development:
Development strategy is on track
MPAC has been asked to serve as a fiscal sponsor for a Campaign to Free Jonny Lee? Campaign to Free Jonny signed Agreement 2026
Fundraiser- current total is 82000 out of our 100000 goal.
Donors/ funders:
Grant team meets weekly.
Donate Button Zeffy platform - donations totaling 3985.00 since the fundraiser.
MPAC- Maine People's Resource Center- 5000
MPAC- Maine People's Resource Center- 5000
MPAC- Jackson National Life Insurance Company- $15,000
MPAC - Maine Community Foundation - 25000.00
MPAC- Maine Community Foundation 1000.00
MPAC- Individual donation (ML) -1000.
MPAC- Portland Trust Company - 4000
MPAC- Portland Trust Company - 25000
Legislative:
MPAC’S Coordinator Linda Small and Peter Lehman leads!
Legislative Committee Meetings - meets Tuesdays at 5:30pm each week.
Legislative- a comprehensive women's health bill is emerging as a priority next session. The suggested title is “Health for Women in State Custody”.
Legislative- Solitary confinement is a top priority next legislative session.
Legislative- Earn Time legislation: MPAC invited to the table.
Legislative Update- MPAC’S 2025 Legislative Tracker
Strategic Partnerships: ongoing- MaineTransnet, GLADD, Portland Outright, MIO, MYJ, Maine Law School, Disability Rights, Maine Equal Justice, ACLU, Muskie, Recovery Connections, Recovery Housing, JJAG, Women’s League of Voters, MPRN, MPDA, MSP-NAACP, Colby College, Bates College, UMA, RJIM, Maine Immigrants, Maine Family Planning, Maine Humanities Council, FAMM (Families for Justice Reform).
New Partners- Pubic Health Committee for Maine Medical Association, Knox-Waldo Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women. No Penobscot County Jail Expansion, ME-RAP, Southern Maine SURJ(Standing Up for Racial Justice), Amistad, Maine CDC, Vera Institute, Curative, Augusta Recovery Center, Reform Alliance, College Guild, Project Home, Maine Health Equity Foundation, Orange Bike Brewing Company, Friends of LongCreek, Groundwater Institute, Volunteers of America, Brennan Center, Maine Arts Commission, Maine Clean Slate Coalition.
