AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC), alongside state and community partners, announced Maine’s participation in Reentry 2030, a national initiative aimed at reducing recidivism (return-to-custody rate) by 30% by 2030 and improving outcomes for people returning from incarceration.
The announcement was made at the Hall of Flags on April 27, 2026, where leaders across corrections, workforce, housing, and health systems outlined a coordinated, data-driven approach to strengthening reentry success.
Through Reentry 2030, Maine will focus on expanding access to employment, housing, education, and behavioral health services––key factors shown to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.
Key goals include:
Ensuring 100% of individuals leave incarceration with a resume and access to job training
Increasing credential attainment by 70% and expanding workforce-aligned education
Eliminating releases to homelessness and achieving 85% stable housing at release
Providing 100% access to state IDs, vital records, and pre-release Medicaid enrollment
Expanding fair chance employer partnerships by 50%
The initiative also includes a comprehensive intake system, expanded peer navigation support, and public accountability through quarterly progress dashboards.
“Maine DOC is committed to breaking incarceration cycles by expanding access to housing, employment, behavioral health services, and additional resources,” said MDOC Commissioner Randall Liberty. “We look forward to working with our partners to achieve these goals.”
“Access to stable, meaningful work drives both economic growth and public safety,” said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. “When people returning from incarceration find fair-wage jobs with real pathways forward, everyone benefits—businesses gain motivated workers, families gain stability, and communities grow safer and stronger. MDOL is proud to align workforce resources, engage with employers, and accelerate connections to work.”
The launch event featured remarks from state leaders, workforce and reentry professionals, and individuals with lived experience, underscoring the importance of collaboration in supporting successful transitions back into the community.
“The Maine Community College System is excited to collaborate with the state on these efforts. By expanding access to the basic things that all people need to survive and thrive, we can make our communities safer and healthier,” said Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Officer.
“Maine is bringing together the right partners and setting clear goals to improve reentry outcomes,” said Susan Gottesfeld, director of corrections and reentry at The Council of State Governments Justice Center. “We’ve seen what’s possible when states commit to this work, and Maine has everything it takes to make it happen.”
Reentry 2030 partners include the Maine Department of Corrections, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Community College System, State Workforce Board, and community-based organizations.
Reentry 2030 is led by The Council of State Governments Justice Center and is being implemented in states across the country.
For more information, visit https://reentry2030.org and https://www.maine.gov/corrections/reentry2030.