September 17, 2021

In response to reports that the Department of Corrections is changing oversight of Long Creek, and that law enforcement are investigating allegations of dangerous use of force at the youth prison, ACLU of Maine executive director, Alison Beyea, issued the following statement:

"Children do not belong in prison. While we appreciate that the Department of Corrections is taking these reports seriously, no amount of reform will fix an inherently violent system that harms young people.

"We need the Governor and the legislature to close Long Creek, and reinvest the money we use to incarcerate young people into services that support young people and let them thrive."