Research & Publications

IN PROGRESS: People without stable housing are arrested much more often than those with permanent housing, usually for nonviolent, low-level offenses. To better understand this disparity in our state, the ACLU of Maine is asking for public records related to the arrests of unhoused people.

IN PROGRESS: We're demanding information from state and federal agencies about how Maine's state and local law enforcement are helping to carry out Trump's cruel immigration policies.

IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about Bangor's policies and enforcement practices.

IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about Sanford's policies and enforcement practices.

IN PROGRESS: Many Maine towns and cities are turning to policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights. We're seeking more information to learn about policies and enforcement practices in Lewiston and Auburn.

COMPLETE: We learned of plans to fingerprint students at a public high school. We immediately filed a records request to learn more and the school reversed course.

IN PROGRESS: Maine counties settle their lawsuits through a taxpayer-funded pool of funds. Settlements could range from allegations of violence in a county jail to gender discrimination against a county employee.

IN PROGRESS: We've obtained extensive data from Maine's Department of Corrections to determine if courts are imposing different criminal sentences based on a person's race, gender, or age.

IN PROGRESS: In the face of rising homelessness rates, Portland has turned to cruel policies that ignore the root causes of unsheltered homelessness and threaten unhoused residents' rights.