Solitary confinement: inside America's dreaded isolation cells
Depicted in 'Orange is the New Black' and fiercely debated in Congress, America's widespread and controversial use of solitary confinement is under fire. The Telegraph visits an isolation cell in Maine State Prison to find out more.
Locked Up In America: Stephen’s Story
Stephen Kirkley was near the end of a five-year sentence for robbery in early 2014. He was also one of the worst behaved inmates in the solitary unit of the Maine State Prison.
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.
Our View: Early release for inmates can work if well-planned
In 1973, Michael Boucher strangled 18-year-old Debra Dill in a wooded area of Litchfield and used a hammer to beat her so viciously that one of her teeth lodged in her windpipe.
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.
Widow of sex offender killed in prison paid $100,000 to settle claim
WARREN, Maine — The widow of a 64-year-old man, who was killed at the Maine State Prison while serving a sentence for sexually assaulting a child, has been paid $100,000 to settle her claim against the state.
‘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.
Our View: Prison reforms take Maine in right direction
It’s called “the prison within a prison,” and anyone who watches a recently aired “Frontline” documentary filmed in the Maine State Prison’s solitary confinement unit can see why. The setting depicted in “Solitary Nation” is grim. Responding to prolonged isolation – 23 hours a day in their cells, with an hour a day outside in individual exercise pens – inmates yell, slash their wrists, flood their cells, push feces under the cell doors and slam their fists into walls.
This is ARRT!
ARRT! – The Artists Rapid Response Team -- creates banners and props to promote the work of progressive non-profits across Maine. All members of the Union of Maine Visual Artists are invited to join.
Riverview discharges man to serve prison sentence
Treatment providers and others testify that Michael James has a personality disorder and is not mentally ill.
Joseph Ponte, Maine’s corrections chief, leaving for similar job in New York City
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte, who has been credited with initiating improvements in Maine’s prison system, has been hired to run the jails of New York City.
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.
Bill Nemitz: Violence in prison a fact of life … but should it be?
It wasn’t quite the response Irv Faunce expected. But when your son is a convicted killer doing time inside the Maine State Prison, your opinion tends to be yours alone.
Bill Nemitz: Violence in prison a fact of life … but should it be?
It wasn’t quite the response Irv Faunce expected. But when your son is a convicted killer doing time inside the Maine State Prison, your opinion tends to be yours alone.
Maine prison guards request stab vests
The proposal, outlined for state lawmakers, comes after several violent assaults at the Maine State Prison and Long Creek Youth Development Center.