Director’s Update: December 2022
Operations: November 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.
MPAC Administrative Assistant responds and directs incoming correspondence to staff.
MPAC Strategy Meeting is held the second Saturday of each month. This past meeting was one of the meetings during the year where the second Saturday comes before the second Thursday's board meeting.
MPAC Legislative Strategy Meeting every Tuesday at 6pm. Weekly meetings are held to discuss legislative strategy.
MPAC Communication committee meeting is held the first and third Monday.
MPAC Development committee meetings held the second and fourth Mondays.
On-going: Advocacy, correspondence, and Direct Dialogue.
MPAC Strategy Meeting - November 12, 2022 MPAC Strategy Meeting
MPAC - next strategy meeting this Saturday December 10, 2022!
MDOC - met with Ryan about visiting the segregation unit at MSP - tour takes place next month.
MDOC - Monthly legislative meeting at MSP is tentatively approved.
MDOC - Gallery Art project at Watts Hall in Thomaston is approved for 2023.
MPAC - supported 5 formerly incarcerated individuals in reentry, with mutual aid.
MCC Longtimers - Met the first Monday of this month. Cheryl and Leslie facilitated a meeting between the women and DOC Medical Director Ruth Lawson about on-going medical complaints..
MCC Longtimers- Reviewed their accomplishments over the course of the year and feeling good about the progress they are making.
MCC Longtimers - Parole Commission met with women serving long sentences. They all presented testimony why Maine should have parole.
MSP - Complaints about not having a dentist on staff in months.
MSP- Parole Commission met twice with the men st MSP. Most presented testimony about the need for Parole.
Parole Commission - Parole Commission voted 8 to 2 in favor of parole(Commissioner Liberty and Senator Cyrway against, 3 abstained.) Consensus something needed to be done to offer early release from prison. Consensus to improve existing structures (pardons, clemency, SCCP).
Advocacy Table - meet on Thursday bi-weekly. The table composition includes organizations in Southern Maine dedicated to criminal justice reform. We discuss how we coordinate our efforts.
Projects:
MSP-NAACP - Summer of Soul movie project is complete. All reports about the experience were good. Conversation with Samaa about collaborating with the Maine Humanities Council about books and book groups. Jon leading!
MSP Holiday Jon is working with Foster to do a holiday musical event on Dec 30th. Jon is hoping to connect with Kafari and Kenya Hall.
MCC Jon went to a volunteer appreciation dinner. They are making plans for a garden inside the gate. Jon is connecting them with a local farmer. Jon also spoke with Warden Cantillo about starting the Jericho Circle there.
Gallery Exhibit Project - MPAC Gallery Exhibit: Inside Vision
Gallery Art exhibit project will be at UMF until Dec 10. We will not go to Freeport this year.
Film presentation of Master of Light at UMF Dec 9, Olivia and Jan hosting.
Speaking engagements: George Mason U and UMO(carceral state and abolitionist). Jan at Emery Arts Center, “Inside Vision”. Jan at UMF,”With Liberty and Justice for All”, Jan- Mt Blue Cable TV, Talkin'Maine with the Bowtie Guy(Tom Saviello) Maine Criminal Justice Issues, Jan - Scarborough Book Club, Maine Criminal Justice
Pros and Cons - meetings are going well. Word is getting around about the group. They welcomed new people all the time, many fresh out of jail or on SCCP.
Charles Jordan House - another grant opportunity in January. Met with Chom and they don't have the capacity to take on new projects. Other candidates for partnership is Home Inc, and Recovery Housing of Maine. Dan also has potential partners.
Reentry Support - MPAC continues to support reentry transition.
Longcreek- MPAC is collaborating with Opportunity Scholars to support youth in Longcreek. Andre going in daily. Working with youth one on one and in groups, building trust, responding to prompts, and Journaling. Brandon is going into Longcreek as well and is supporting youth reentry. Andre is supporting a young woman with furloughs to work at a beauty shop. Youth at the facility are preparing to share their art on the radio.
Justice Scholar Strategy/UMA Mellon grant- Concerns persist about the Mellon grant. The grant director has resigned. The advisory board is seeking to ensure UMA lives up to their obligations of the grant. The payroll for part time MPAC coordinators comes from that budget.
Freedom And Captivity - Catherine Besteman leads. Freedom and Captivity curriculum
Loss and Transformation is ongoing. Wed 6-8:30. Cuba and Linda have been facilitating.
Radio show - Justice Radio, a once a week 30 minute radio show is starting next month, Linda’s first show is on stigma. Catherine and Leo's show was amazing.
Links webpage: Justice Radio
Facebook Justice Radio
Instagram Justice Radio
Communications:
MPAC’s brochures. MPAC Brochure
The Communication Committee met and is looking into the management of our Google Group, and if we can empower members to set parameters emails. We are also looking into creating company emails for staff and board.
Appeal letter went out! Looking to use Mail Chimp.
Adding donation at the top of the webpage.
Looking for training to redesign the website.
Donors/ funders:
Sam Cohen
Gill Foundation
Maine Initiatives
Appeal Letter
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation
Revolution Press
Legislative:
Solitary confinement Bill - Bill to end Solitary Confinement in Maine’s Jails and Prison.
Parole Bill - Bill to reinstate Parole in Maine.
MDOC Rent assistance - Bill to require the MDOC to cover rent for indigent individuals reentering Maine’s communities.
Strengthen BOV oversight - Bill to require all Jails and Prisons to have a Board if Visitors and for the to draft reports to County Commissioners.
Longcreek Bill- Bill to close Longcreek and invest in community resources for youth.
Strengthen Board of Visitors for Jails and Prisons
Strengthen DOC Policy allowing Supervised Compassionate Community Confinement
