The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU
  • No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board
  • State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues
  • Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations
  • Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]
  • Maine Wire Podcast: Carroll Conley on Abortion, LGBT, and Religious Liberty in Maine
  • Dems Block Debate on Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill, Refuse GOP Questioning of Medical Experts
  • Partisan Vote Ends Brakey’s Bid for Welfare Work Requirements
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Saturday, June 10
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Do the right thing with Downeast Correctional Facility
News

Do the right thing with Downeast Correctional Facility

Paul LePageBy Paul LePageMarch 30, 2018No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

As Governor, it’s my responsibility to make the tough decisions. The upcoming closure of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Washington County is the right thing to do.

The Department of Corrections has the duty and responsibility to run secure and humane facilities for convicted felons in a fiscally sound manner.

Keeping Downeast Correctional Facility open violates these principles—unless we spend millions of dollars to improve an outdated, decaying facility.

This facility was built in 1955 as Bucks Harbor Air Force Base, providing radar support to Brunswick Naval Air Station. In the early 1980s, the Legislature bought it from the federal government and opened it as a prison, although it was never designed as one.

In 2002, the voters rejected a bond initiative to replace the facility. It continued to degrade. Governors King and Baldacci each tried to close it.

After decades of neglect, the annual legislative attempts to keep it on life-support must end.

Over the past 10 years, Downeast Correctional Facility has cost more to operate on a per-inmate-basis than Maine State Prison: DCF averages $44,148 per inmate, per year, while MSP averages $43,773. It’s not efficient.

This prison is not a solution to Washington County’s economic challenges. It isn’t even a band-aid.

We’ve invested millions of dollars to improve the economy of Washington County, and our efforts are paying off. My administration has invested more than 8 million new dollars in the University of Maine at Machias for marine business incubation, the softshell clam industry and seaweed farming. We’ve reinvigorated the Bailleyville Mill.

The people of Washington County earned $38 million more dollars in wages in 2017 than in 2010. The unemployment rate in the county is at 5.2 percent—the lowest rate ever.

Rather than wasting money patching up 63-year-old buildings at the end of their useful life, I am focused on creating jobs and improving workforce readiness in Washington County.

When we closed the prison, the employers of DCF’s inmates hired local people. When the department called to say that a few of the inmates were coming back, they said, “Great! Just, give us a couple days to lay off the local people.” Wrong answer.

Prisons are not jobs programs. They are not economic investment. For those fighting to keep Downeast open, I challenge them to make the harder but better choice.

We should sell the property to private investors who will redevelop it. Then we can put the savings into the substance abuse rehabilitation program in Windham, where it is truly needed. Which is more important, a new drug rehabilitation program or an old, outdated jail?

Let’s stop playing games with the employees, the inmates, the employers and the people of Washington County. Close it on July 1, as planned, and move on.

It’s the right thing to do.

Commentary Featured Governor LePage governor paul lepage Paul LePage taxpayers
Previous ArticleTraditional public schools suffer from educational paralysis
Next Article Maine has a ranked-choice disaster on its hands
Paul LePage

Governor Paul LePage (R) has served as the 74th Governor of Maine since 2011. Prior to his time as governor, LePage served as the general manager of Marden's and as the mayor of Waterville.

Related Posts

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations

June 9, 2023

Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]

June 9, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.