Maine State Prison captain pleads not guilty in inmate assault
ROCKLAND, Maine — A Maine State Prison captain who was fired about two weeks after being charged with assaulting a handcuffed inmate has pleaded not guilty.
Blood tests needed for Maine inmate’s cause of death
As an autopsy is done on the diabetic 35-year-old man, a state official says prisoners get regular health care from a new vendor.
Father of dead Maine inmate points to medical care
Garrett Brewer, 35, who died in his cell Wednesday, had expressed concerns about his diabetes treatment, his dad says.
Maine Voices: Windham prison guard’s reinstatement poorly thought-out decision
David Hench’s article about Maine Correctional Center Capt. Shawn Welch’s handling of inmate Paul Schlosser (“Prison captain fired, but later reinstated, after pepper spraying inmate,” March 17) temporarily removed the cloak of secrecy from the Maine Department of Corrections.
Legislators grill Corrections chief on use-of-force incidents
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee questioned Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte on Wednesday about his department’s internal-affairs and use-of-force procedures, in response to an incident at the Maine Correctional Center last year.
Captain’s vengeance backfired in Windham pepper spray incident
I suspect it takes a high degree of self control and character to be spit on and called vile names and not react, at least not overreact.
Certainly, police officers and corrections officers face that behavior routinely from people who have done very bad things.
Our View: Prison leak probe looks for the wrong problem
If Maine corrections officials are embarrassed, they have good reason. An in-house video that showed a supervisor at the Windham prison inappropriately using pepper spray on a restrained inmate leaving him in distress for 20 minutes was shocking when it was revealed in a story in the Maine Sunday Telegram.
Maine officials seeking pepper-spray video leak
The Department of Corrections wants to know how the media obtained video and documents about how a prison captain pepper-sprayed a restrained inmate.
Corrections officer’s actions to be reviewed
A legislative committee wants to ensure that use of restraints and pepper spray are the exception.
Prison captain fired, but later reinstated, after pepper spraying inmate
A prison captain who was removed from his job last year — and then reinstated — discharged pepper spray directly into the face of an inmate who was restrained and left him in distress for 24 minutes, according to confidential documents and a videotape of the incident obtained by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.
Our View: Troubled prison has right person in charge
Corrections is the part of state government that most people would like to forget. Stories showing that prisons are dangerous places seem fair to some who think that’s how justice is delivered.
Affidavit details alleged assault by Maine State Prison officer against inmate
ROCKLAND, Maine — A captain at the Maine State Prison pulled the legs out from under an inmate whose hands were cuffed behind him, causing the prisoner to fall, according to an investigator’s report used to charge the officer with assault.
Maine State Prison captain arrested, accused of assaulting inmate
ROCKLAND, Maine — A captain at the Maine State Prison was arrested Wednesday afternoon after being accused of assaulting an inmate on Christmas Eve.
Maine prison captain charged with assaulting inmate
David Cutler, 54, allegedly tackled and assaulted a handcuffed prisoner. Cutler was arrested Wednesday.
Records show high number of incidents, overtime at state prison preceded management change
WARREN, Maine — The number of fights and assaults and the amount of weapons and drugs found within the maximum-security Maine State Prison had been above the average sought by the commissioner prior to his decision to remove Warden Patricia Barnhart from her job last month.
AG’s office takes on Washington County jail fund investigation
MACHIAS, Maine — Termination. Resignation. Now, investigation.
The investigative division of the office of the Maine attorney general has agreed to undertake an independent probe of the use and alleged abuse of an inmate benefit fund at the Washington County Jail.
Plan to close Maine prison center draws concern
The Hallowell pre-release facility's low-risk inmates perform public restitution.
Dismissed Maine State Prison warden remains on state payroll
WARREN, Maine — Patricia Barnhart, who was fired as warden of the Maine State Prison three weeks ago, remains on the state payroll.
Report: Lingerie, cookbooks, cellphone bills paid for with Washington County inmates’ benefit fund
MACHIAS, Maine — A “Santa Baby” novelty plunge bra, four sateen push-up bras, a velour bustier top and a ruffle-trim leather motorcycle jacket were apparently purchased in 2012 with funds from an inmates’ benefit account at the Washington County Jail.
Maine State Prison warden fired
WARREN, Maine — The warden of the Maine State Prison was fired Thursday morning, according to multiple sources.