Penobscot County wants a new jail. Local activists argue it will decrease incentive for social programs
WABI - As the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office works toward building a new jail, some local groups have come out against it.
For over a decade, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office has been looking at layouts and locations for a new jail to replace the one that last saw renovations in 1988.
“We have a jail that is simply in such disrepair that the physical plant itself cannot be repaired. We’re a 157-bed facility. There are seven cells that are completely decommissioned now that cannot be used at all because they’re in such disrepair,” explains Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton.
While they still scout properties, Sheriff Morton says a partnership with an Indiana company could bring in Maine’s first modern prison.
The expected plan consists of a two-floor facility that houses inmates and most resources on the ground floor with staff offices on the second.
Expected floorplan of new Penobscot County Jail (First floor).(Penobscot County Sheriff's Office)
Expected floorplan of new Penobscot County Jail (Second floor).(Penobscot County Sheriff's Office)
While Morton can’t confirm the exact price tag, saying it will be in the $72 to $84 million range, adding that the current maintenance and boarding costs would essentially be transferred to a bond payment.
Local group No Penobscot County Jail Expansion (NPCJE) says instead of moving into a larger jail, the money should go toward supporting social programs to help keep people out of prison.
“The vast majority of people in this jail or any jail are ill in one way or another,” NPCJE member Doug Dunbar describes. “Many of them are also locked into deep poverty, they’re homeless, they get out of jail, they’re homeless, they’re still struggling with mental health issues, oftentimes a substance use disorder issue. And without help, they end up in a revolving door, going in and out, in and out.”
Dunbar argues that by constructing a new jail without investing in these programs, the resources and incentive to support these initiatives will fall to the wayside.
In response, Morton agrees in the investment of social support programs. However, he does not think that should come at the expense of the new jail.
“If the discussion with others about providing services in the public or increased advanced services is there, I will be with them every day advocating for it. But you can’t simply wipe away the need for our physical plant to say, ‘Take that money over here,’” Morton details. “If we could communicate together and talk about our mission, about how we’re providing mental health services in the jail, we’re providing medical assisted treatment in the jail, sometimes this is the first chance that a person’s had the opportunity to bridge that gap to treatment. Is it the best way to do it? Not always. But it absolutely occurs. And we need a physical plan that makes sense doing this.”
Morton says plans for a new jail will not be voted on this year as they continue to search for the best location, considering properties both in and out of Bangor, including a parcel of land in Hampden.
