Title

Article on prison reform in Maine, reporting that the state Department of Correc

Authors

Lance Tapley

Source

Portland Phoenix

Date

2-8-2008

Pages

8-9

Abstract

Article on prison reform in Maine, reporting that the state Department of Corrections recently announced a plan to create a nine-member state Board of Corrections. If approved by the Legislature, the board would oversee, coordinate, and - theoretically - reform both prisons and jails. Stan Gerzofsky (D-Brunswick) says the opportunity exists to redo corrections in Maine, but adds that reform will depend on citizen input. The Corrections Board proposal is somewhat of a compromise from Governor John Baldacci's plan that the Corrections Department take over the jails, closing or downsizing five of them. A new, grassroots Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition brings together Portland's Blackbird Legal collective, Waldo County's Restorative Justice Project, Ellsworth's volunteers for Hancock Jail Residents, the Maine Native Prison Project, Peace Action Maine, and other organizations. With comments by Peter Lehman, a prison-reform activist and former inmate; and Scott Story, Waldo County Sheriff. With a related article on a movement by Bates College to expand college courses for prisoners, noting that studies show nothing works better to reduce recidivism.

Subjects

Prisoners, Prisons

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