Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition - Facebook Group
The Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (MPAC) is composed of Maine prisoners, their friends and families, victims of crime, and others committed to ethical, positive, and humane changes in Maine's prison system.
Anthony Sanborn, Maine’s 1st convicted killer to be released on bail, gets taste of freedom
Anthony Sanborn was jailed for nearly three decades before he became Maine’s first convicted murderer released on bail, adjusting to a world that left him behind. The greatest unknown comes this fall, when he returns to court to learn his fate.
Our View: Video visits won’t solve major challenges at Maine’s county jails
Increasing treatment funds is key to mitigating drug addiction and smuggling, and allowing contact visits builds the family ties that prevent re-offending.
Reported suicide by transgender boy housed in girls unit at Long Creek prompts demand for review
His death while on suicide watch raises many questions about incarceration practices, but corrections officials aren't talking, even as two groups ask the Maine attorney general to investigate.
Maine Voices: Alternative confinement should be expanded for aging, ailing prisoners
With proper supervision, nursing homes, hospices and assisted living can be humane and cost-effective.
Maine Voices: Contact with media is helpful for inmates who want to rejoin society
A policy change allowing prisoners to submit writing for publication upholds First Amendment rights.
Why Maine prisoners kept the right to publish their writings
In the absence of strong reasons to restrict prisoner communications, the Department of Corrections has dropped rule changes that would have barred inmates from having pen pals and publishing materials under their own names. This is the right decision. Such restrictions likely would have violated inmates’ constitutional rights, opening up the state to court challenges.
Outspoken Maine prisoner told to ‘cease and desist’
A convicted murderer and advocate for prison reforms is ordered to curb his frequent newspaper submissions.
Opponents voice objections to proposed rules that could restrict Maine inmates’ speech
Many at Monday's hearing on the Maine Department of Corrections proposal said the proposal is too vague, would cause discipline problems at state prisons, and would damage efforts to rehabilitate prisoners.
Proposed rules for Maine prison inmates may restrict outside communication
The new rules are vaguely written, and the Department of Corrections has explained little about the draft discipline policy that it intends to air at a public hearing Monday.
Our View: The death penalty wrong for Maine
Our state's life without parole is the right punishment for the worst of the worst.
De Blasio Setting Up a Test: Prison Reformer vs. Rikers Island
Joseph Ponte, New York’s newly appointed correction commissioner, has plans for reform. But Rikers will be a far bigger challenge than Maine’s jail system, where he instituted key changes.
Defense attorney: Plea deal being negotiated for former jail guard accused of sex assault
ROCKLAND, Maine — Plea negotiations are ongoing between the defense and district attorney’s office for a former Knox County Jail guard accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate.
New state prison mental health center met with optimism
WARREN, Maine — Last spring, Maine Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte said that during a Cabinet meeting, Gov. Paul LePage leaned over and said to him that more beds for the seriously mentally ill were needed.
Maine prisoner files claim over pepper-spray incident
The prison controversy led to policy changes and a ‘teachable moment’ for prison personnel.
2nd Knox County jail guard accused of sex assaults against female inmate
ROCKLAND, Maine — A second Knox County Jail guard has been accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate.
Maine’s spending on prisoner health drops but remains among highest in country
Maine has slowed its spending on health care for prisoners over the past decade but remains one of the highest spenders in the country, according to a study conducted by two national nonprofit organizations.
Prison education program offers new beginnings for Maine inmates
WARREN, Maine — Sergio Hairston played varsity football for Lewiston High School, but the running back had spotty attendance and left school in October 2006, his senior year.
Experts: Number of women in Maine prisons has grown sixfold since 2002
PORTLAND, Maine — The number of women held in the Maine state prison system has grown nearly sixfold since 2002, a stark increase that experts say is sparking new conversations about the best way to rehabilitate female criminals.
Former Knox County Jail guard charged with sexually assaulting inmate
ROCKLAND, Maine — A former Knox County Jail guard was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexually assaulting a former inmate at least three times while she was incarcerated last year.