AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Corrections is proposing changes to the rules that govern the way prisoners communicate with the outside world.
The list of proposed changes includes prohibiting prisoners from soliciting or communicating with a pen pal, publishing a byline or “acting as an agent of the news media.”
Maine Public Broadcasting Network reports the corrections department has declined to discuss the proposals while they are under consideration.
Critics say the proposed changes raise free speech issues. Members of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and others say the changes won’t reduce recidivism and will further isolate inmates.
A spokesman for the Maine attorney general’s office declined to comment on the issue on the grounds that the public comment period on the proposal is still open.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.
-
Franklin
Farmington man charged in sexual assault, contact case with child under age 12
-
FootballPine Tree Conference all-conference teams
-
Politics
House expels Rep. George Santos in bipartisan vote after ethics report
-
Nation / World
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on Supreme Court, dies at 93
-
Food
Avoid pre-cut cantaloupe, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows