Lunch & Learn held for the CJPS Committee: Understanding Maine’s Adult Corrections System
Representative Nina Milliken recently hosted a lunch & learn for the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee (CJPS) which focused on understanding the adult corrections system. Legislators and Committee members attended and heard from formerly incarcerated individuals who shared their experiences while in the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) custody.
The discussion centered on improving the system for those currently impacted. We extend our gratitude to the participating legislators who listened empathetically and posed thoughtful questions. We appreciate your support and look forward to collaborating to create a more humane, ethical, and just criminal legal system for all Mainers.
There was also a review of the following bills:
LR 2212: Expanding workforce opportunities for individuals transitioning from incarceration to employment.
LR 400: Enhancing the Supervised Community Confinement Program to provide more pathways for reentry.
LR 2274: Awarding earned time for educational achievements, including certifications and degrees.
LR 569: Improving telephone and video call access in correctional facilities and jails.
LR 1826: Implementing recommendations to reestablish parole in Maine.
LR 1406: Establishing the Office of the Corrections Ombudsman for independent oversight.
A special thank you to Victoria Scott, Brandon Brown, and Jeremy Hiltz, for sharing their personal stories and helping Committee members see “Beyond the Door” to the many challenges faced by those incarcerated and reentering their communities. Your insights showed what real change could mean.
