A Plan ForA Unified State Adult Correctional

SystemJanuary 28, 2008

Overcrowding in state & county jails systems exist while a surplus of beds is available several counties. By 2011 prisoner populations nationally will be up by 13% while Maine can expect a rise of 21%. Both the State & several counties are considering new construction to meet both immediate & future bed space demand;

The cost to manage & operate the state and county correctional facilities is also on the rise. During the last 3 years the cost to operate county jails has increased at a rate of 9% compared to an increase of 5.7% in the State prison system. Property tax payers paid $67 million dollars in 2006 & is estimated to pay $72 million in 2007. If nothing changes, it is estimated it will cost property tax payers $148 million in 2013 & $184 million by 2015 to operate county jails.

•Provide for Property Tax Relief;•Provide for an Overall Reduction in County & State Correctional System Cost through greater efficiencies;.• Reduce the Rate of Growth in the Cost of Corrections;•Improve the Services for Offenders with Special Needs (mental health, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders);•Provide for Community Alternatives including Graduated Sanctions for Probation Violates & Pre-trail Services in all Regions;•Provide a standards Level of care for all Prisoners including Medical, Mental Health & Medication Management;•Manage Available Jail & Prison Bed Space Statewide to Utilize Existing Bed Space & Avoid the Cost of New Construction in the Immediate Future.•Pursue Professional Correctional Accreditation of Facilities

Regional Service Centers for Financing, Human Resources & IT Services

Consolidate Contractual Services Commodities , Food & Commissary Services,

Clothing, Linens, Uniforms & Fuel; Medical, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Regionalize Pre-Trial Services; Pharmacy Services; Inmate Programs & Services

Regional Transportation System Regional Training System

MDOC would assume the authority & operations of all county jail facilities; Regional correctional facilities will be organized according to the 8 existing

prosecutorial districts to maximize the resources & meet the needs of each district. This design would provide; 10 regional correctional facilities in the 8 districts ; 3 re-entry centers; (Bangor WRC, Cumberland Re-entry & York Re-entry Center) 2 mental health units; (Two Bridges MH Stabilization Unit, MSP MH Treatment Unit) A unit for female offenders sentenced to more than 90 days; A protective custody unit &; A medical infirmary unit;

5 county jails would be closed (Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Piscataquis, & Waldo) & converted to 72 hour holding facilities to accommodate local law enforcement needs & minimize transports;

Offender populations would be managed based on a predetermined design of where pre-trail & sentenced inmates will be housed for any given district;

Offenders with special needs or high risk security concerns would be managed in specialized housing units according to a centralized classification system;

A core of fundamental programs, services & interventions would be provided at all regional correctional facilities to address the many & varied needs of inmates.

72 Hour Holding Facility: A facility certified under Holding Facility Standards pursuant to MRSA 34- Section 1208 to detain offenders arrested up to 72 hours for the purpose booking, bail, transport to a regional facility or a court appearance within 72 hours of being delivered to the Sheriff.

Pre-Trial/Short Term Sentences: A facility designated for the detention of pre-trial offenders or inmates sentenced to 90 days or less;

Pre-Trial/Longer Term Sentences: A facility designated for the detention of pre-trial offenders or inmates sentenced to more than 90 days up to one year.

Re-Entry Centers: A minimum security, community based residential facility designed for the transition of offenders from a secure correctional setting to the community based on an established release plan.

Infirmary: A correctional Unit providing an increased level of medical care for medical needs that can’t be managed safely in in an out patient setting but not of a level requiring hospitalization .

Mental Health Unit: A correctional Unit providing short term diagnostic evaluation, stabilization and treatment for serverly mentally ill inmates.

Update Data & Information on Existing System MDOC & Jail Population Projections Existing Average Daily Populations by Gender,

Classification, Legal Status, Admissions & Releases. Update MDOC & Jail Capacities, Both Operational &

Fully Rated Capacity. Determine impact of MDOC Budget Reductions on system capacity.

Existing Facilities Staffing Inventory/Analysis Update Existing Facility Inmate Programs & Services Jail Facility Physical Plant Inventory Existing Jail Support Services (Admin, Finance, HR,

Training, IT)

Planning Efforts Analysis information & data collected on a

statewide basis Conduct Planning Sessions with stake holder

to identify potential system options & efficiencies.

Present options to working group for review & recommendations

Develop proposed implementation/transition plan & time frame

Present recommendation to BOA for consideration.