Worst Prisons List

10 Worst Prisons In The State of Maine

What are some of the worst prisons in the state of Maine? We have discussed some of the worst prisons found in the state of Maine based on the crime rate and living conditions of the prisons.

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Mar 19, 2024 • 5 min read

Worst Prisons In The State of Maine

Maine is one of the 50 states in the US. It's a small state but has a lot to offer. The coastline is beautiful, and there are a lot of mountains and forests too. People in Maine are friendly and proud of their state, and there are plenty of things to do here. However, the state has some terrifying prison facilities too.

Why are Maine Prisons the Worst?

Inmates' death cases: Several inmate death cases in Maine prisons have raised concerns among the public.
Unsanitary conditions: Another major concern is the unsanitary conditions in Maine prisons. In 2013, an investigation by the Portland Press Herald revealed that some prison units were infested with mold and rodents and that inmates were being routinely exposed to asbestos.
No basic facilities provided: The third major issue with Maine prisons is the lack of basic facilities provided to inmates.
Escapes: Finally, another big problem with Maine prisons is the high number of escapes.

Overview of Prisons in the state of Manie

There are many prisons in the state of Manie. Each prison has its unique history and purpose. Some prisons are for hardened criminals, while others are for inmates serving short sentences or awaiting trial.

The first prison in the state of Manie was built in July 1824. The prison was built to house men who were convicted of crimes. In recent years, the state’s prisons have undergone some major changes. In particular, there has been a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. Prisons now offer a range of programs and services that are designed to help inmates transition back into society. There has also been a focus on reducing recidivism rates.

List of Prisons in the state of Maine

Mountain View Correctional Facility
Maine State Prison
Bolduc Correctional Facility
Southern Maine Women's Reentry Center
Maine Correctional Center

1. Mountain View Correctional Facility

The Charleston Correctional Facility (CCF) is located on the former Charleston Air Force Station in Charleston, Maine. It officially opened in 1980 and had a population of 30 male residents under its control.

However, only five years later, in 1985, it split from the Maine Correctional Center after increasing its capacity to 93 males by adding an extra dorm. From then on, CCF was solely responsible for development and operation!

In 2017, the Mountain View Youth Development Center and the Charleston Correctional Facility were joined to form the Mountain View Correctional Facility (MVCF). MVCF's current capacity is 374 adult resident beds; 20 male/female juvenile beds. (Juvenile beds are used for detained juveniles awaiting a court date or serving a short detention sentence.)

Besides lacking basic facilities, the prison has been charged with allegations of inmate abuse within the facility.

2. Maine State Prison - Worst Prison in Maine

The Maine State Prison, a maximum-security facility for adult males with an average capacity of 916 inmates per day, was originally built in Thomaston in 1824 before being relocated to Warren in 2002. In February 2002, the prison was relocated to a new, larger facility in Warren due to the state's increasing inmate population. Some residents of Thomaston were against shuttering the jail because it was a part of their heritage and local economy.

On November 11, 2005, the Portland Phoenix began an exposé series on Maine's misuse of forced extraction methods and restraint chairs. Following a flood of public criticism, Corrections Commissioner Warren Magnusson pledged to "de-escalate" its use, requesting that the US Department of Justice's National Institute of Corrections review management at the prison.

Susan Watland, a Maine state prison inmate serving 25 years for murder, planned to smuggle a weapon into the facility to seize hostages. Another prisoner reported it. Susan Watland entered the facility carrying a loaded pistol on October 24, 2006, but guards stopped her on time.

3. Bolduc Correctional Facility

The Bolduc Correctional Center is in Warren, Maine. It is a low-security facility that also houses people returning to the community after serving time in another prison. Many of the inmates at this prison have only a few months or years left on their sentence. Currently, this institution can accommodate up to 222 adult males.

The prison offers a work release program, which allows inmates to work in the community during the day and return to jail at the end of their shift. Inmates may use work release to make money, pay fines/restitution, and pay for room and board while assisting with the inmate's transition into what life will be like after being released.

The Center is considered one of the worst due to the high level of violence that takes place within the prison walls. Inmates at Bolduc have been known to engage in brutal beatings, rapes, and even murders.

Another reason Bolduc is considered one of the worst prisons is the poor conditions inmates are forced to endure. The prison is overcrowded and dirty, and there have been reports of inmates being deprived of necessities like food and water.

4. Southern Maine Women's Reentry Center

The Maine Women's Reentry Center is a cutting-edge facility that allows staff to provide programming and educational services to minimum and community custody female offenders.

The goal of the MDOC is to lower the chance that an offender will re-offend. With a solid foundation and greater potential for success, the Women's Reentry Center enables us to offer education and skills that will help offenders return successfully to their communities. The new facility provides room for learning and growth in an environment conducive to development.

The prison has a lack of resources and support available to inmates. It does not have adequate medical or mental health care, and no programs or services are available. Additionally, the prison guards are often described as abusive and insensitive, which creates an environment of fear and intimidation. All of these factors contribute to a feeling of hopelessness and despair among the inmates, which makes it very difficult for them to turn their lives.

5. Maine Correctional Center

The Maine Correctional Center (MCC) is a Medium/Minimum Security facility and houses both male and female residents. An Act of the Legislature established it on April 4, 1919. An appropriation of $45,000 was made to purchase land and buildings located in Windham.

Today, the MCC complex includes a Medium custody facility housing approximately 650 incarcerated men and women and a 96-bed Minimum and Community custody facility for women called the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center. The Maine Correctional Center is the primary reception center for the Maine Department of Corrections adult population.

Prisoners are often forced to live in cramped, unsanitary conditions. In addition, prisoners at MCC are often subjected to violence from other inmates and guards. Multiple reports of sexual assault and other forms of abuse have occurred at the prison.

MCC is also notorious for its poor treatment of prisoners with mental health issues. Many inmates at MCC are not given the proper medication or care that they need, leading to the death of many inmates.

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