AUGUSTA (AP) – A former captain with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, who is now serving time for theft, is being charged in a scheme to forge documents to get himself and other inmates out of prison early.

George John Madden of Augusta was sentenced last August to a year in prison, with three years probation, for the theft of guns, contractors’ tools and a snowmobile while he was with the sheriff’s department. Some of the stolen goods were later resold through the Internet.

Madden, 36, is now being charged with violating probation by committing aggravated forgery while in the Bolduc Correctional Facility in Warren.

Kennebec County Superior Court documents say Madden helped other inmates gain forms that award the prisoners “good time,” or shortened sentences for good behavior and participation in work programs.

Madden allegedly used a computer to forge the documents while working in a prerelease program at the Rockland Public Works Department, according to John Scheid, an investigator with the state Corrections Department.

Two other inmates admitted to having forged documents that were obtained by Madden, Scheid’s report said. It also says a document bearing a signature of District Attorney Evert Fowle seeks to award Madden more than 200 days of “good time” that would be used to secure his early release.

Fowle told Scheid that the signature on Madden’s document was fraudulent. Fowle added that he had no involvement in Madden’s case, which was prosecuted by the state attorney general’s office.

Madden’s attorney, Walter McKee of Augusta, said Tuesday he had yet to discuss the allegations with his client. Although Madden is still serving time and has not begun his probation, Maine law allows the state to revoke probation before it begins.