Legislature passes $900 million state budget update

There was broad bipartisan support for the bill, which includes $300 direct payments to Mainers who worked through the pandemic.

Mills vetoes ‘fundamentally flawed’ bill to close Long Creek youth prison

Mills also moved to block a bill inspired by Hydro-Quebec's spending on a potential ballot initiative in Maine.

New Hampshire among states grappling with closing youth detention centers

As states from California to Maine consider drastic changes to youth detention centers, New Hampshire is grappling with its own facility that has been rocked by abuse allegations from years past

Lawmakers consider setting a closure date for youth prison

Advocates spoke in favor of legislation calling for the closure of the Long Creek Youth Development Center.

Mother sues over her teenage son’s death at Long Creek in 2016

Charles Knowles killed himself at the youth detention center, prompting scrutiny of how Long Creek treats LGBTQ youths and how well it protects young people with mental health problems.

Legislation should require closure of Maine’s youth prison, advocates say

A bill would gradually reduce the number of young people held at the Long Creek Youth Development Center, without setting a date to close it.

Lawmakers consider bill to prohibit prosecuting anyone younger than 12

The measure would also eliminate the minimum stay for youths committed to the state's only youth detention center, and would commit no one younger than age 14.

Bill would phase out use of Long Creek youth detention center

The measure would also prohibit courts from detaining juveniles solely because they can't be sent home, but critics say it doesn't go far enough.

National group advises Maine to invest in community services to reduce juvenile incarcerations

Preliminary findings by the Center for Children's Law and Policy show that 53% of detained youths were held because the state lacked alternative places to house them safely.

‘A number of problems:’ Group gathers to discuss Maine’s juvenile justice system