Latest updates on Penobscot jail expansion and alternatives
Is the Penobscot County Jail being expanded? Penobscot County’s plan to build an expensive new jail in Hampden, Maine has many people asking, “What are the alternatives to jail expansion?” Explore latest news coverage and updates from Penobscot County on the fight to stop a costly and harmful jail expansion and create an effective diversion program.
Activists urge Penobscot County to consider diversion efforts over jail expansion
WABI - While Penobscot County works on plans to relocate the jail from Bangor to Hampden, a local group has formed to offer an alternative.
Hoping to keep folks out of jail rather than expand the number of beds, local activists have created the Penobscot County Diversion and Problem-Solving Pilot Initiative.
Critics of Penobscot County Jail expansion plan call for decarceration effort
MAINE BEACON - Advocates are pushing back against an effort by Penobscot County to increase capacity of its Bangor-based jail, saying the expansion effort is misguided and urging the county to instead focus on reducing the number of people it incarcerates.
Penobscot County puts out Request for Proposals for jail expansion
Penobscot County has put out a request for proposals for project management to expand the Penobscot County Jail. This expansion, as described in the RFP, would add 203 beds rather than the original 100 discussed in the media.
Penobscot County wants to add 100 beds to its overcrowded jail
BANGOR DAILY NEWS - Penobscot County is asking architectural firms for proposals to add about 100 beds to its existing jail on Hammond Street in Bangor, marking the county’s latest attempt to ease overcrowding at the 161-year-old facility that regularly exceeds its licensed capacity of 157 inmates.