AUGUSTA — The outgoing executive director of the state Board of Corrections, Ryan Thornell, confirmed for lawmakers Tuesday that Maine’s county jails are indeed facing critical funding shortfalls and public safety could be at risk. Thornell and Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry told a joint meeting of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Criminal Justice and Public […]
corrections
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Franklin County panel approves corrections van purchase
FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners accepted a bid of $27,213 Tuesday from Quirk Motor City for an all-wheel drive Ford van to transport inmates. Jail manager Major Doug Blauvelt said that he received several bids, including some from local dealerships, but Quirk had the van that suited the jail’s needs. They were looking for a […]
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Posted inbPlus
FaceTime: Joel Merry — securing Maine’s county jail system
Joel Merry looks little like the imposing and and beefy stereotype of a jail boss. But last month, following passage of a new law governing the way Maine’s 15 jails are woven together as a network, the soft-spoken sheriff from Sagadahoc County was elected as chairman of the Maine Board of Corrections. The Sun Journal […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Portland conference addresses growing female population in prisons
PORTLAND — 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. Portland’s Holiday Inn By the Bay is the setting for the 2013 biennial Adult & Juvenile Female Offenders […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Old Town probation officer with Auburn roots never carried gun, focused on making a difference during 39 years on the job
BANGOR — In his nearly 39 years as a probation officer, Ron Sagner never carried a gun. “It wasn’t required when I started in 1975,” Sagner, 66, of Old Town said shortly before he retired in mid-August. “The attitude then was, if you need to carry one, you weren’t the right person for the job.” […]