Director’s Update: March 2026
Operations: February Operations On-track
MPAC: Board consists of 6 members, Co-Chair Ryun Anderson, Co-Chair Carla Hunt, Secretary Julian Rowand, board members Craig Williams, Rosalani Moore and Thraza Rosie Hylton.
MPAC currently has a staff size of 11 individuals. Joseph Jackson, Jan Collins, Peter Lehman, Joelle Jackson, Darlene George, Brandon Brown, Andre Hicks, Antonio Jackson, Linda Small, Sammy Basu, and Kathy Elliot.
MPAC- MPAC has contracted Jon Courtney and Adriane Herman to support art programming within the MDOC.
MPAC- we have a contract with Gordon Perry to support our comms department.
MPAC- Assistant Director Jan Collins started a 6 month leave March 1st.
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 will 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.
February MPAC Strategy Meeting - The February Community Strategy Meeting of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC) focused on remembering Jeff Evangelos, a beloved colleague who recently passed away, and discussing ongoing advocacy work. The meeting covered updates from various MPAC initiatives, including legislative efforts for parole reform and the Clean Slate bill, which faced challenges in the state legislature. Inside Vision reported progress with art programs and film screenings at correctional facilities despite staffing issues, while Main Inside Out shared updates on their reentry initiatives and upcoming art exhibits. The meeting also addressed concerns about legal rights and prison conditions, with attorney Theodore Berry offering insights on potential legal strategies. Paula shared her experience with the Maine State Police complaint process regarding an arrest without warrant, highlighting systemic issues in law enforcement accountability. The conversation ended with reflections on community collaboration and the legacy of Jeff Evangelos, who was remembered for his dedication to criminal justice reform and his ability to build bridges across different perspectives.
MDOC - Met with DC Cantillo and the MSP Warden about Leo’s participation as a Galaxy Gives Fellow.
MDOC - Met with DC Cantillo about holding a gubernatorial forum. Still waiting for a response.
MDOC - Commissioner Liberty has released his book entitled Liberty's Prison. MPAC Staff were interviewed and are named in the book.
MDOC- reports of MDOC using virtual medical visits for medical screenings.
MCC - MPAC and MDOC collaborating on a workshop for incarcerated women on SCCP.
MCC-Longtimers - MPAC is supporting a pregnant individual to get SCCP for the remainder of her sentence.
MCC Longtimers - Leslie Manning facilitates monthly meetings at the Women's Center and SMWRC. She has done so for years. She is more than a volunteer, the donation of time, and her contributions to our organization can't be measured.
MCC-Longtimers- There was a lot of sadness over the death of a woman at the women's facility.
Advocacy Coalition- Linda joined the advocacy table while Jan is on leave.
Longcreek- Andre is no longer going into Longcreek 5 days and week. He now has 60 kids on his caseload in the community.
MSP- Joseph, Jan, Jon, and Santanu met with the Deputy Warden and Program manager about our Inside Vision Project. We debriefed the previous year, and spoke openly about successes and challenges. Both sides agree the program is important and pledged to check in periodically on its progress.
MSP NAACP - MPAC is supporting holding a ceremony for Jeff Evangelos on March 20th
MSP-NAACP- NAACP President Bates on Justice Radio about the issues of running a branch under carceral rule.
MSP NAACP- MPAC is supporting a Black History Month celebration on the 27th
No Penobscot county jail - Darlene and Linda are attending the No Penobscot county jail meetings. The group finalized its diversion program, created a new flyer to attend a workshop to educate the public on the benefits of the diversion program and the issues with building a new jail.
Projects:
Paco's Place- we are back on track. The Maine Housing Authority granted us a waiver to access more of the tax credits. Dan and Joseph are meeting with potential investors. We plan to close on the property in 90 days.
MPAC Clemency and Appeals project - MPAC'S Contracted Coordinator Jeff Evangelos passed away this month. He was able to successfully assist 9 people in their quest to have their incarcerations reviewed. He will be missed!
Reentry Support- MPAC supported 8 individuals with mutual aid.
MIO/MPAC- is collaborating on an evening weekly drop in group for people in reentry at the MIO office in Lewiston. Cuba and Stacy from MIO facilitate the group. There have been new people joining each week, and the community that is forming is something beautiful to behold. We offer food, transportation and mutual aid.
Inside Vision- Jon conducts film screenings and discussions throughout the year. He will often bring in people closely associated with creating the film, and sometimes the film and discussion is aired across facilities.
Inside Vision - Jon is working on a one-on-one mentorship project. A project that pairs a community artist/professional to incarcerated individuals. Daniel Minter is currently volunteering his time in a one on one with an incarcerated resident.
Inside Vision MCC - Adriane Herman is under contract to hold art workshops at MCC. Adraine is looking for a comic or comedian to come to MCC for the women. She is also looking for a tattoo studio artist to come in by zoom or as a studio visit.
Gallery Exhibit Project: Inside Vision- Grand Opening of inside Vision exhibit at UMF February 19th at Emery Arts. Gallery Exhibit UMF
Mainecare- MPAC is partnering with Mainecare to conduct surveys for formerly incarcerated youth. We plan to complete the project before June,
Brennan Center- MPAC has worked as consultants on a research project with the Brennan Center. The report will be released this month.
Groundwater- MPAC is supporting a Broad based organizing effort with Bay Love and his team. We are members of the planning committee and have supported and attended several gatherings around this effort.
Youth First - traveled to Philly for ED training at the George Jackson School for Organizing.
Communications:
MPAC - Brandon Brown is our communications lead.
Website: Brandon is proposing a project to add a section on MPAC'S history. The plan is to feature and interview MPAC'S founders.
Google Group: Peter continues to lead and manage the Google Group. Tension remains about its function and purpose.
Google Group - Isabelle Humblot has decided to step away as a volunteer. We express our heartfelt gratitude for donating her time and energy to our cause.
MPAC - new YouTube channel MPAC YouTube channel
Public engagement
Jill Wards Law School Class
Donors/ funders:
Grant team meets weekly.
Donate Button Zeffy platform
individual donation Zeffy - 1365.00
MPAC- Anonymous donor 50000.00
MPAC- Maine Initiatives 250.00
MPAC - Anonymous donor 500.00
Mainecare - 443.00
Legislative:
Assistant Director Jan Collins leads!
Legislative Committee Meetings - meets Tuesdays at 5:30pm each week.
Legislative- cancellation of the gubernatorial candidate forum on March 16th. We didn't receive final permission from the Commissioners office.
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.
