AUGUSTA — Washington County lawmakers are planning a last-ditch attempt this week to reopen the Downeast Correctional Facility while acknowledging the need to look beyond their months-long political and legal fight with Gov. Paul LePage over the prison’s future. In early June, the LePage administration quietly transferred the handful of remaining Downeast Correctional inmates and […]
downeast correctional facility
Posted inNation / World
Paul LePage to reopen Downeast prison with minimal inmates, staff
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Corrections will reopen the Downeast Correctional Facility “with minimal staff and a minimal number of inmates” by week’s end in response to a court order, the LePage administration announced Monday. Gov. Paul LePage said he met with Corrections Commissioner Joseph Fitzpatrick on Monday morning to discuss the issue, less […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Judge rules Paul LePage doesn't have power to close Downeast Correctional Facility
AUGUSTA – A judge has ordered the LePage administration to continue operating the now-empty Downeast Correctional Facility, handing a partial victory to Washington County officials upset with the prison’s sudden closure. In a 12-page ruling, Kennebec County Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy agreed with the county, union officials and Attorney General Janet Mills that LePage […]
Posted inMaine
Janet Mills opposes Downeast Correctional Facility’s closing in court
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Corrections agreed Wednesday to halt equipment removals from the now-vacant Downeast Correctional Facility while a legal case against the LePage administration proceeds. Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, meanwhile, is asking the court to order the administration to transfer prisoners back to Machiasport and halt staff layoffs at the facility […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
All inmates moved from Downeast Correctional Facility under cover of darkness
Gov. Paul LePage ignited a political firestorm by quietly emptying Washington County’s Downeast Correctional Facility in the pre-dawn hours Friday despite lawmakers’ repeated votes to keep the prison open. Although LePage’s desire to close the Machiasport prison and lay off its staff was well-known, his administration’s decision to transfer the 63 remaining inmates to other facilities Friday morning caught […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers to consider funding for Downeast Correctional Facility
AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill to fund a small, rural Maine prison that’s long been on the state’s chopping block is heading to a panel of lawmakers. Republican Rep. Will Tuell’s bill would provide about $5.5 million to fund Downeast Correctional Facility for the fiscal year beginning in July. GOP Gov. Paul LePage has pushed […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage says lawmakers reneged on deal to close prison
Gov. Paul LePage claimed Tuesday that members of the Legislature are reneging on a deal regarding the closure of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport, but didn’t provide many details. Noting that state government sends more aid to Washington County than it receives in revenue from Down East, LePage said during a radio interview Tuesday […]
Posted inMaine
GOP House leader says LePage walking back from June prison closure
AUGUSTA (AP) — A leading Republican says Maine’s governor is walking back from a proposal to close a minimum-security prison in June. Republican Gov. Paul LePage proposed shutting down Downeast Correctional Facility to save $5 million annually as part of his two-year, $6.8 billion budget. A legislative panel expressed support for funding the prison months […]
Posted inMaine
Maine to close Downeast Correctional Facility next month
A red pickup truck pulls away from the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport in February. The Department of Corrections says it plans to lay off all guards, relocate prisoners, and close the facility by June 10. MACHIASPORT — Layoff notices will be issued to all 46 employees at Downeast Correctional Facility in Machias, which will […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Machiasport inmate apprehended in Lewiston on Thursday
LEWISTON — An Auburn man accused of slipping away from a Machiasport prison Wednesday was found and arrested in Lewiston a day later. Prison officials said 46-year-old John Phillip Michaud had walked away Wednesday from the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport. Michaud was convicted in 2013 for five counts of burglary and theft. He was […]