Director’s Update: September 2022
Operations: September operations are on track.
MPAC currently has a staff size of 14 individuals. Joseph Jackson, Jan Collins, Peter Lehman, Whitney Parrish, Joelle Jackson, Cheryl Mills, Bobby Payzant, Daniel Fortune, Brandon Brown, Wendy Allen, Andre Hicks, Antonio Jackson, Linda Dolloff and Kathy Elliot.
MPAC has 4 volunteer Coordinators leading projects. Doug Dunbar, Jon Courtney, Jamie Peloquin & Leslie Manning.
MPAC staff has co-created a new 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 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 and Volunteer Coordinators meet as a full team weekly to update and resolve tensions.
MPAC staff members are in regular communications with incarcerated residents and formerly incarcerated individuals.
MPAC staff meeting in-person with incarcerated residents at MSP, Bolduc, MCC, SMWRC.
MPAC our 501c3 application is approved. WE Are Officially a 501c3.
MPAC Administrative Assistant responds and directs incoming correspondence to staff.
MPAC Strategy Meeting is usually held the second Saturday of each month. We didn't hold a meeting this month to hold a rally in Augusta.
MPAC - Legislative Strategy Meeting every Tuesday at 6pm. Weekly meetings are held to discuss legislative strategy.
MPAC- staff attended a workshop led by Hilary Robbins on strategic planning.
On-going: Advocacy, correspondence, and Direct Dialogue.
MPAC Strategy Meeting - July 11, 2022! MPAC Strategy Meeting July 11, 2022
MPAC - next strategy meeting this Saturday October 8, 2022!
MDOC - MPAC met with the heads of MDOC facilities.. We made progress with MPAC'S library proposal, MSP remains a sticking point. Meeting with the commissioner on the 23rd to discuss solitary, etc.
MDOC - MPAC is meeting with Randy and Ryan in person on the 23rd. We will focus on our upcoming Legislative agenda. Bill to provide housing for indigent individuals one year after release. Solitary confinement and Parole!
MDOC - MPAC met with Roy King. Meeting focused on reentry of men of color.
MDOC- MPAC was in a policy meeting with Ben Beal about Classification. The meeting focused on Classification alignment with reentry programs.
Mountain View- MPAC received a complaint about the quality of the drug test at that facility. A warning on the label states the test is impacted by temperature. According to the complaints, the warehouse heats up during the day over the recommended storage temperature. A number of men claim they are being held accountable for false positives for alcohol.
MCC Reentry Center- meetings happening once a month. Last meeting focused on advocating women be allowed Credit cards so women can build up credit before release. The librarian is reorganizing the library and has agreed to prominently displayed recommendations.
MPAC staff are supporting formerly incarcerated individuals in reentry, with transport, peer to peer support. One on one and in group settings.
MCC Longtimers - meeting with Longtimers twice a month. Women housed on the hill are being allowed to wear jeans, color their hair, and wear hair extensions.
MSP - They are still unsure about the two days of good time for higher education and whether it will be applied retroactively.
MSP- MSP NAACP is holding a voter registration and education event September 15th. The Secretary of State will be there as well as other guests and speakers. MPAC staff attended and assisted.
Parole Commission - Parole Commission had its first meeting on Thursday. The meeting was open to the public - we had testimony from Brandon, Jon, and Catherine. We had a number of MPAC folks write written testimonials.
MPAC(Jan) has conducted a survey of Maine legislative candidates and compiled the votes on solitary confinement and on parole from the 120th legislative session.
MCC - The new facility is huge. The mile is a mile. It is state of the art.
Projects:
MCC Reentry Center- MPAC is planning a Film series, transformative art. Swoon is tentatively the first artist/October. Jon Courtney leading!
Gallery Exhibit Project - debuted September 8. At the Bangor Library Monday, August 15, 5:30pm -8pm for the opening of INSIDE VISION: An Outside Exhibition of Inside Art, featuring the art of youth and adult residents of Maine's correctional facilities. Portland Opening Oct 1.
Arts in Prison group meets every Friday at 8:30 am to promote programming.
Pros and Cons - resumes next Monday at 6:30.
Conversations - Monday night peer support groups in Portland. Discussions have been about everyday challenges, substance use, custody, and relationship tensions.
Charles Jordan House - another grant opportunity in November.
MPAC- attended a Celebration of life for Anthony Teabout. A system-impacted individual we supported.
MDOC - MPAC met with facility heads to discuss MPAC Library Book proposal for MDOC. The meeting was productive.
MCC Reentry Center- Jon’s friend Daniel from Frith Farm helped with the garden. Cheryl and Leslie also assisted with the garden.
MCC Longtimers - met with the Women on Thursday.
MCC- Rachel T Ross is holding a voter registration and education drive at MCC for men and women.
Reentry Support - MPAC continues to support reentry transition..
Higher Education In Prison - Joseph Jackson leads. Found funding to hire Linda Dolloff to identify supports and resources for returning students.
Longcreek- Longcreek- Andre received volunteer training at Longcreek. Brandon went into Longcreek on Friday. Met with Opportunity Scholars kids. Supported a young woman furlough to a beauty shop.
Justice Scholar Strategy - Meeting monthly with system impacted students and former students to develop strategies to improve access to education for incarcerated students
Freedom And Captivity - Catherine Besteman leads. Freedom and Captivity had a retreat at Colby College where each group presented their curriculum design.
Stop Killing Us Rally - was held Saturday in Augusta at Capital park. MPAC provided and sold t-shirts. Jan Collins was on the planning committee and spoke at the rally,and Bobby Payzant sang an original composition. Michael Kebede: Stop Killing Us Address
Radio show - Justice Radio, a once a week 30 minute radio show is being pitched to WMPG. Linda will host one show a month.
Communications:
MPAC'S brochures. MPAC Brochure
Public engagement is On-track. MPAC and MIO held a joint presentation at the BIPOC Nonprofit and Business Mini Expo.
Donors/ funders:
UMA - 3,600
T-Shirts sales - 340
Submitting a Fellowship Grant!
Working on a grant for Maine Initiatives.
Looking to submit a grant to MEHAF.
Looking to submit a grant to Maine Community Foundation.
Legislative:
Assistant Director Jan Collins survey project is complete. We are reviewing the data.
Solitary confinement - Rep Grayson Lookner has agreed to sponsor a bill in the next session.
Parole
MPAC is in discussions with Consumer Council of Maine and MPRN about a bill to strengthen Board’s of Visitors.
Bill to require the MDOC to provide a years rent for indigent individuals reentering Maine’s communities.
