The warden of the Maine State Prison in Warren has been replaced amid an ongoing investigation into various allegations of harassment and abuse, according to the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC).
“The commissioner is taking, and will continue to take, appropriate actions in response to and as justified by the results of the investigation,” the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) said in a press release, in reference to Commissioner Randall Liberty.
The investigation began in August 2023, when Liberty received complaints that various forms of misconduct were taking place under the watch of Warden Matthew Magnusson.
Allegations included accusations of hazing and harassment of the prisoners, retaliations among employees, and inappropriate relations between inmates and employees.
Liberty was not able to provide details of the investigation, because it is ongoing, but specified that Magnusson had been removed “pending further investigation,” and would be replaced by Deputy Director of Operations James Hancox, who has worked at the prison for 15 years.
According to a Bangor Daily News (BDN) interview with an inmate, Samuel Moor, prisoners were put on lockdown for a few hours before being informed that Magnusson and other prison officials were no longer working at the prison.
Liberty did not mention any staff changes other than Magnusson’s removal.
A source familiar with the workings of the Maine State Prison informed The Maine Wire that, in addition to the warden, two deputy wardens were also removed from their positions, and multiple other senior staff members were suspended.
