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.
Maine prison officials’ indifference led to fatal stabbing, inmate says
Richard Stahursky will be prosecuted for a second inmate’s death, even though he’s already facing decades in prison.
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.
Our View: No excuse for Maine State Prison murder
We should reject a prison culture in which the strong are allowed to victimize the weak. There is a common belief that since prisons are filled with dangerous people it’s inevitable that they will be dangerous places.
MAINE COMPASS: Criminal justice system should focus on rehabilitation, not punishment
Last week, legislators considered L.D. 1765, a proposal to create a commission that would examine and revise Maine’s criminal laws. This is an important opportunity for our state to evaluate the effectiveness, objectives and purpose of our criminal justice system.
Death of inmate at Maine State Prison ruled a homicide
Micah Boland, 37, was stabbed to death, apparently by another inmate, state police say.
Our View: ‘Shoot-to-kill’ bill overkill for Windham prison escapes
Should trying to escape from the Maine Correctional Center be a capital offense? A proposal now before the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee could make it one.
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.
Bigger prison, same staff: The math behind LePage’s plan to double beds at Windham prison
As lawmakers work to firm up a state budget that’s out of balance and debate an expansion of Medicaid, a proposal to nearly double the capacity of the Maine Correctional Center in Windham will resurface in coming weeks.
Maine State Prison inmate dies
WARREN, Maine — The death of a 53-year-old prisoner at the Maine State Prison does not appear to be suspicious, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Outcomes of 2 Maine prisoner death cases raise questions as a third inmate murder case gets ready for trial
ROCKLAND, Maine — Three Maine State Prisoners have been beaten to death in less than five years but the outcomes of the first two cases have had mixed results.
York County jail inmate killed himself, police say
Jeffrey Noonan, 49, who was on suicide watch, caused his own death by removing a shunt used for kidney dialysis, officials say.