News & Commentary

Maine Corrections Commissioner Joseph Fitzpatrick knows that prisoners in jail have a better chance of being productive members of society when they are released if they stay connected with their families while they are locked up. Even those without Fitzpatrick’s background in clinical psychology know from common sense that cutting someone off from in-person contact with their loved ones can be psychologically troubling.

Governor Paul LePage took a step in the right direction this week by announcing his plan to commute the sentences of low-risk prisoners who are now idling in Maine’s prisons. Although the governor has yet to announce details about which prisoners’ sentences he will commute or how many, his decision acknowledges that Maine needlessly incarcerates too many people for too long.

From our op-ed in the Portland Press Herald:

Yesterday, the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) released a report detailing myriad places the LePage Administration has been leaving money on the table at the expense of everyday Mainers. The report shows that most of the money is being left behind by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), led by Commissioner Mary Mayhew, and would otherwise go to fund things like mental health programming and drug rehabilitation and treatment programs.

The ACLU of Maine joins our colleagues around the country who support marijuana legalization, and we are proud to announce our support for Question 1. 

The following was orginally posted at aclu.org 

The following was originally posted at aclu.org.

Boston College Law Magazine has an amazing profile of our legal director, Zach Heiden, and his work to reform solitary confinement in Maine. The article perfectly demonstrates Zach's brilliant advocacy combined with his grit and stamina. It's also a good reminder of the value in taking a step back to reflect on how much we really can make change - and that we should stay the course, even when skeptics suggest it's time to call it a day.

We went into the second regular session of the 127th Legislature looking to build on the successes of last year, when we worked to ban the shackling of pregnant women in correctional custody and to reduce some first-time, low-level drug possession charges. We faced a governor that seems hell-bent on ramping up the failed law enforcement approach, while denying people access to the treatment and recovery services they need.