The ACLU of Maine is suing the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services (MCILS) over its failure to provide constitutionally adequate legal representation to poor people accused of crimes in Maine.
An investigation into reports of use of force at Long Creek this summer has confirmed that youth were subjected to chokeholds and prone restraints, in violation of the youth prison’s policy.
A federal district judge has suppressed evidence recovered during an illegal traffic stop in the case of United States v. Boyd, in which the ACLU of Maine filed an amicus brief.
The Department of Corrections is changing oversight at Long Creek, and law enforcement are investigating allegations of dangerous use of force at the youth prison.
The calls come after reports of guards continuing to use dangerous force against incarcerated young people.
The Senate’s failure comes as Maine reports an average of 12 overdose deaths per week.