AUGUSTA — A forced marriage that didn’t work out. That’s the way one state lawmaker Wednesday described the failed 2007 effort to merge the operations of Maine’s county jails with the state’s prison system. “I feel like we’re a marriage counselor,” said state Rep. Tim Theriault, R-China. “Thank goodness they don’t hate each other yet.” […]
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Maine lawmakers struggle to find funding solution for county jails
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers are struggling to find a solution for a looming county jail funding crisis that’s being driven in part by a dysfunctional Board of Corrections. The Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Thursday discussed legislation offered by state Rep. Ricky Long, R-Sherman, that would return control of the jails, along with […]
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Fund for Healthy Maine survives in unanimous committee vote
AUGUSTA — In a bipartisan and unanimous decision, the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee beat back a proposed $7.2 million raid on the state’s tobacco settlement funds, currently used for community smoking cessation and prevention programs. The committee instead took about $2.4 million from the fund to use on other parts of the $28 million spending […]
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Bill to return Maine jails to county control faces hurdles
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on Monday said they want more details on a bill that dissolves the state’s Board of Corrections and returns control of county jails to county governments. The bill, LD 186, being offered by state Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, would see the state continue to fund the 15 county jails to the tune […]
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LePage looks to elude Board of Corrections with county jail ‘receiver’
AUGUSTA — Legislative Republicans and Gov. Paul LePage crafted a plan to prevent the closure of several county jails in the coming months. Democrats say the plan gives the governor unchecked power and would be unnecessary if LePage followed current law and ended his refusal to nominate members to the state Board of Corrections. An […]
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Get out of jail free? Auburn senator suggests low-profile suspects pay no bail
AUGUSTA — Eliminating cash bail would dramatically reduce the number of inmates in Maine jails and dramatically lower taxpayer costs, according to state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn. Brakey said Thursday he intends to introduce legislation that would do away with bail in Maine and replace it with a system that screens those charged with crimes […]
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Maine jails are pressed for cash and facing funding crisis
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 […]
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County jails may face funding crisis
AUGUSTA — With the resignations of one member of the Maine Board of Corrections and its only two staff members, county jails could be facing a critical funding shortage. The board, down to two members, lacks a quorum to do its business, including authorizing state funding for county jails. Amy Fowler, a Waldo County commissioner, […]
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Legislature overrides LePage veto of jail bill
Veto Coverage: List of vetoes considered and who in our coverage area voted to sustain or override. LEWISTON — More money and new structure will give a boost to Maine’s jail system following the Legislature’s vote Thursday to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the plan. In its second time through the Legislature, the bill […]
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Maine corrections boss Ponte tapped to lead New York City jails
NEW YORK — Mayor Bill de Blasio has named the head of Maine’s corrections department to head New York City’s jails. Joseph Ponte was presented as the new commissioner of the nation’s second largest jails system at a City Hall press conference Tuesday. “Every resident of this city deserves to be treated with dignity and […]