Director’s Update: June 2026
Operations: May Operations On-track
MPAC: Board consists of 7 members, Co-Chair Julian Rowand, Co-Chair Carla Hunt, Secretary Thraza Rosie Hylton, Board member Ryun Anderson, board members Craig Williams, Board member Rosalani Moore, Board member Reese Remington.
MPAC currently has a staff size of 12 individuals. Joseph Jackson, Jan Collins, Peter Lehman, Joelle Jackson, Darlene George, Brandon Brown, Andre Hicks, Antonio Jackson, Linda Small, Sammy Basu, Nicole Murphy and Kathy Elliot.
MPAC - Brandon Brown has given us a notice that his last day is June 15th.
MPAC- Contracted Coordinators Jon Courtney and Adriane Herman support art programming within the MDOC.
MPAC- we are currently reviewing our contract with incarcerated resident Gordon Perry.
MPAC- Assistant Director Jan Collins on a 6 month leave.
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 - 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.
May MPAC Strategy Meeting - The May Community Strategy Meeting was well attended. Bay Love was our featured speaker. RESIST Central Maine also attended.
MDOC - Executive Director Joseph Jackson, met with Deputy Commissioner Cantillo about Leo Hylton's 5 year Ban. Tony agreed the policy needs revision. Although he was unwilling to extend relief to Leo.
MDOC - Deputy Commissioner Cantillo shared the announcement of the Youth Diversion Summit in New Hampshire with MPAC.
MDOC - MPAC Coordinator Linda Small and MDOC continue to collaborate on the development of a SCCP workshop to address FAQ’s and resident concerns.
MCC Longtimers - Leslie Manning attended regularly scheduled meetings at SMWRC, and the Women's Center.
MCC Longtimers- addressedtension regarding PREA complaints about a transgender resident.
Advocacy Coalition- reduced our meetings to monthly.
Longcreek- Andre has been approved to return to the facility. Continues to collaborate with partners to support youth.
MSP- Juneteenth event will be held June 23rd.
No Penobscot county jail - Darlene and Linda are attending the No Penobscot county jail meetings.
No Penobscot County Jail: First look at the proposed Penobscot County Jail
Projects:
Paco's Place- Lease agreement, house rules and tenant selection plan complete. Hoping to break ground in July
Reentry Support- MPAC supported 11 individuals with mutual aid.
MIO/MPAC- weekly drop in group for people in reentry at the MIO office in Lewiston continues to grow. MPAC's Lead of Strategic Partnerships Antonio Jackson and MIO Facilitator Stacy Perez facilitate the group. The community that is forming is beautiful to behold. We offer food, transportation and mutual aid.
Inside Vision- Jon conducted a virtual screening of A PHANTOM SONG.
Inside Vision - Nicole Lund curated a gallery exhibit at the UU Church in Brunswick.
Inside Vision - Gallery exhibit is up on the walls in the Cross office building in Augusta. This exhibit is in collaboration with The Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Department of Corrections. It is also live in this digital gallery https://mainearts.maine.gov/pages/programs/arts-in-the-capitol.
Mainecare- MPAC conducted a survey with formerly incarcerated youth. The young people had a lot to say.
Brennan Center- MPAC completed our work as consultants on a research project with the Brennan Center. The full Report has been released.
Broad Based Organizing- MPAC continues to support Broad based organizing efforts with Bay Love and his team. There is a training scheduled for May 28-30. Staff and board members are encouraged to attend.
Parole-4-Me- MPAC Staff and Volunteers continue to support Parole-4-Me as the group formalizes itself as a 501c3.
Communications:
MPAC - Brandon Brown is leaving.
MPAC - Nicole Murphy is our new communications lead.
MPAC - Brandon is supporting Nicole's transition and onboarding.
Website - Nicole plans to meet with Jamie for training on how to update and edit the website..
Website- our project to offer MPAC merch is on track. We still have to work out some kinks with Bonfire. When we upload it to the page, visitors can purchase t-shirts, coffee cups and the like.
Website- contest to create art for t-shirts this summer wrapped up last week. A poll will be created and MPAC Staff and Board will vote to decide the winners. One winner will be selected from MSP and MCC. 250 prize!
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
MPAC Executive Director did a presentation at the Geo Fund.
MPAC attended and tabled at Lewiston's Pride parade.
Development:
Development strategy is on track
The organization is outgrowing its current pool of smaller grants, as many grants are now limited to organizations with budgets under $400,000.
MPAC submitted a grant to the AG for Opioid funds.
Executive Director confirmed fall fundraiser September 10th at Caswell Farm
The Development committee has formed a fundraising committee. Key donors are volunteering to support the planning.
Donors/ funders:
Grant team meets weekly.
Donate Button Zeffy platform - 8 donations totalling 160. 00
MPAC- individual donation Zeffy - 10000.00
MPAC- National Philanthropic Trust - 250.00
MPAC- ROSC: 9500.00
MPAC - Brennen Center- 1000.00
MPAC- Brennen Center- 1500.00
MPAC- Brennen Center-1500
MPAC - Maine Initiatives- 20000.00
Legislative:
MPAC’S Coordinator Linda Small and Peter Lehman leads!
Legislative Committee Meetings - meets Tuesdays at 5:30pm each week.
Legislative- group is prepping for tabling season.
Legislative- Solitary confinement is emerging as a top priority next legislative session.
Legislative- group plans to hold a gubernatorial candidates forum.
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.
