Maine's prison system mismanagement is under a refreshingly detailed probe by the state legislature's investigative unit OPEGA, which Tuesday aired its interim report to the legislature
Listen to coverage by Maine Public Radio News of two state prison-related stories that unfolded at the state capital June 6th (5 minute mp3) Read the text of their coverage
At the same time, an arrogant response by the Department of Corrections that the state's exiling policy and history is "confidential" sparked a press conference in the Hall of Flags by Ron Huber, community radio news producer for now-exiled Maine inmate Deane Brown, a convicted burglar-turned gadfly inmate news correspondent, who was sent from Maine State Prison south at the beginning of Governor Baldacci's second term to a series of prisons in Maryland. The link above also includes coverage of Huber's press conference.
(1) Legislature today discussed and heard testimony on the interim report on management of Maine state prisons by OPEGA the legislature's office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.
The report is called Maine State Prison Management issues- Organizational Culture and Weaknesses in Reporting Avenues Are Likely Inhibiting Reporting and Action on Employee Concerns. (Link to report at opega website doesn't work Will scan a paper copy. Stay tuned.)
(2) In his press conference, Huber called on Governor Baldacci to open up the state's inmate exile program to public scrutiny, and review all the cases. The agency insists that its exile policy and decisions are confidential.
However, exile is a severe punishment to both the incarcerated and to his or her family and community. Maine Department of Corrections must lose its power to permanently strip Native Mainers of their citizenship. Such a drastic decision must not take place behind a smokescreen of bogus "confidentiality".
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