This year, Androscoggin County has three candidates running for the office of sheriff. Recently, I retired from the Sheriff’s Office after 37 years of service. During that time, I had the privilege of working side-by-side with all three candidates. All three candidates possess varied strengths and weaknesses and would serve the office well. However, voters […]
John Lebel
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
After decades in charge at Androscoggin County Jail, John Lebel plans retirement
AUBURN — On his first night as a uniformed corrections officer, bosses asked John Lebel to explore a dingy nook of the old Androscoggin County Jail with his bare hand. It was a known hiding place for contraband. And Lebel, then a tall, lanky 26-year-old, could reach farther and deeper than the other guards. “I […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Task force votes to increase authority of state jail system
AUGUSTA — A task force created to save Maine’s jail system unanimously approved a measure Friday to grant new authority to the state’s Board of Corrections, potentially preventing more counties from leaving the fragile system. However, the group led by former Central Maine Power director David Flanagan stopped shy of widespread changes. Issues such as […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Task force seeks compromise on Maine’s jail system
LEWISTON — A legislative task force created to repair Maine’s foundering network of 15 county jails is nearing a compromise that would boost the system’s authority to place inmates wherever there are empty beds. The compromise could force Somerset County to open its jail to inmates from the Franklin County jail in Farmington, which has […]