LePage stalled in closing Down East prison under legal agreement
AUGUSTA, Maine — The state’s dismantling of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport must halt while the Legislature decides whether to fund the prison for another year and a lawsuit to prevent its closure moves forward, a Superior Court judge said Wednesday.
Reported suicide by transgender boy housed in girls unit at Long Creek prompts demand for review
His death while on suicide watch raises many questions about incarceration practices, but corrections officials aren't talking, even as two groups ask the Maine attorney general to investigate.
Why Maine prisoners kept the right to publish their writings
In the absence of strong reasons to restrict prisoner communications, the Department of Corrections has dropped rule changes that would have barred inmates from having pen pals and publishing materials under their own names. This is the right decision. Such restrictions likely would have violated inmates’ constitutional rights, opening up the state to court challenges.
Maine needs a reason to restrict prisoner communications. So far, there isn’t any.
The most pressing question surrounding proposed prisoner discipline rule changes from the Maine Department of Corrections comes down to one word: Why? Why are they needed? Why is the department proposing them now? The questions are especially relevant to restrictions on prisoner communications, which are protected by the First Amendment.
DOC may prohibit several forms of prisoner communication
AUGUSTA, Maine —
Maine’s Department of Corrections wants to prohibit certain forms of communication between prison inmates and outsiders.
Opponents voice objections to proposed rules that could restrict Maine inmates’ speech
Many at Monday's hearing on the Maine Department of Corrections proposal said the proposal is too vague, would cause discipline problems at state prisons, and would damage efforts to rehabilitate prisoners.
Proposed rules for Maine prison inmates may restrict outside communication
The new rules are vaguely written, and the Department of Corrections has explained little about the draft discipline policy that it intends to air at a public hearing Monday.
Our View: Jail is the wrong way to make offenders pay fines
It’s not only unfair to incarcerate those who can’t pay, it’s a bad way to use public funds.
Taxpayers lose as Maine counties jail indigents over unpaid fines
An ACLU of Maine study finds many inmates are behind bars solely for not paying court costs, but the burden on the state is more than what they owe.
Our View: Jail time for unpaid fines unfairly penalizes poverty
A bill now before the Maine Legislature justifiably targets what amount to debtors' prisons.
Our View: The death penalty wrong for Maine
Our state's life without parole is the right punishment for the worst of the worst.
Oppose a new policy that punishes incarcerated Maine writers
We, the undersigned—a national community of writers, writing teachers and concerned Americans—are writing to oppose some of the proposed changes in Maine’s Department of Corrections discipline policy Ch. 10 Subsection 20.01.
Lawmakers postpone inquiry into hazing of Maine State Prison guards
Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, co-chairman of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, says the committee will question Department of Corrections officials in December.
Finding cause of Maine inmate’s death could take weeks
An autopsy is inconclusive about what killed the 27-year-old Wilton man, and the results of toxicology reports are awaited.
Widow of inmate killed at Maine State Prison awarded $100,000
As part of the settlement, Janet Weinstein, whose husband, Sheldon Weinstein, was beaten to death in 2009, agrees to drop a lawsuit against the Department of Corrections.
‘Frontline’ show puts focus on Maine jail reforms
A PBS documentary on solitary confinement in the U.S. will include Maine’s progression on reducing its use.
Prisoners sue Maine in padlock assaults
Four inmates injured by others say the state’s policy is unsafe because the locks can be used as weapons, but corrections officials disagree.
Maine prison officials’ indifference led to fatal stabbing, inmate says
Richard Stahursky will be prosecuted for a second inmate’s death, even though he’s already facing decades in prison.
Maine corrections chief Joseph Ponte to head NYC jails
The departure of Joseph Ponte creates uncertainty about the future direction of the Maine Department of Corrections.
Death of inmate at Maine State Prison ruled a homicide
Micah Boland, 37, was stabbed to death, apparently by another inmate, state police say.