Real Stories from Penobscot County Jail
Scotty, above, has been in and out of jail for decades, and is often unable to meet probation requirements while living on the street. He has stopped getting his hopes up about promises of help from social workers.
People who have been jailed in Penobscot County have stories to tell.
They aren’t always easy to hear.
Homelessness. Poverty. Addiction. Generational incarceration. Mental illness. Medical neglect and verbal abuse.
But most of all? We hear stories of shame.
People who desperately needed help, but felt too ashamed to reach out.
People who knew that you “just don’t talk about” mental illness. Or alcoholism. Or opioids.
People who hid their substance use from everyone — until they couldn’t anymore.
And some who tried to get help, but faced endless waitlists and red tape.
More than anything, we wanted to ask the big question: What would have kept you out of jail?
These stories are their answers. They point the way to a different way of spending our community resources - a way that actually solves problems and keeps people out of jail.
These individuals have shared their stories openly in hopes of changing the conversation. Their stories are a weapon in the fight against shame. We thank them for their courage.
Read Stories
Dylan’s Story
“"When I got out… I went right back to using. I don’t think jail is the answer to substance use. You can put people in jail, but they don’t learn anything.”
Full story coming soon
Doug’s Story
“It becomes clear to you when you’re in jail that you are not there with the healthy and the wealthy; you are there with the sick and the poor."
Full story coming soon
Devin’s Story
"“Honestly, I don’t know what would've been good to help keep me out of jail. Probably access to mental health treatment free of stigma. I’ve got severe anxiety… Housing is also an important one, because of the homelessness and the trauma.”
Full story coming soon
Breann’s Story
“"Women feel so ashamed, moms— that they’re addicts, and women seek treatment the least. They don’t want people to know; they don’t want their employers to know; they don’t want their parents to know.”
Full story coming soon
Boston’s Story
Full story coming soon
Scotty’s Story
“I’ve been in and out (of jail or prison) for about 40 years, not being able to break this routine of violating probation or catching new charges due to lack of resources or help.”
Full story coming soon
Bo’s story
“I grew up on Penobscot Nation reservation… Grew up in a small-knit community fighting and f&%!ing. That put me in county jail quite a bit for small, petty things here and there throughout my young-adult life.”
Full story coming soon
Ryan’s Story
"I needed to be in a recovery rehab program. I was told by drug court, “Drug dealers don’t need rehab.” I was found twice OD’d behind the wheel of a car. I asked for help and was willing to go to rehab and still do my time. Denied.”
Full story coming soon