County officials say they appreciate no cuts being made to jail funding, but say the lack of more money in the face of quickly rising costs is burdening local property taxpayers.
county jails
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News, Politics
A bill to give Maine jails more leeway with immigration authorities is on track to become law
Proponents say the bill — passed by the Legislature this week and expected to be signed by Gov. Janet Mills — clarifies an existing law and would allow sheriffs to turn away federal immigration detainees in some instances.
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Posted inMaine, News
Androscoggin County’s ‘excessive’ spending putting pressure on towns, leaders say
County taxes have been rising steadily. Local leaders blame jail operations, and ask the state to step up.
Posted inMaine, News
$1.2 million in the hole, Androscoggin County asks Legislature for help with jails
Citing an ‘urgent need,’ County Administrator Jeff Chute sent a letter to lawmakers appealing for more jail funding.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Maine to drop charges, release people from jail over public defense failures
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy gives Maine’s public defense agency 1 month before criminal defendants who cannot afford their own attorneys are released from jail if they have waited more than 2 weeks for a lawyer.
Posted inMaine, News
Family of man who died at Wiscasset jail files wrongful death lawsuit
The family of Kare Randall, who died by suicide, is suing a handful of local government agencies and officials, claiming that they failed to respond to clear warning signs.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Agency to fork up nearly $200,000 for shielding public records related to Kennebec County jail
The Maine County Commissioners Association Risk Pool is the first government entity in Maine to be penalized for wrongly withholding documents since the Freedom of Access Act became law in 1959.
Posted inLivermore Falls Advertiser
Detention center contending with staffing issues, lack of infirmary
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. and Jail Administrator Major Douglas Blauvelt spoke with the Franklin County Budget Advisory Board about increases to their budget to combat issues with staffing and medical resources.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, Politics
Study group recommends stricter policies on access to prisoner phone calls
A legislative study group is recommending that Maine take steps to prevent police and prosecutors from having access to calls between lawyers and their clients in jail.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers to take up prisoner rights bills, overdose legal protections
During work sessions this week, lawmakers on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will discuss an array of bills, including one to ban solitary confinement and another to expand Good Samaritan Law protections.