AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Monday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, to strengthen the support system for people reentering society from incarceration.
As amended, LD 931 would direct the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) to identify and evaluate support services to pinpoint gaps between the needs of prison residents reentering society compared to what is currently available. DOC would collaborate with key stakeholders like community organizers, recovery centers and potential employers to ease the transition from prison to public life. Once the information has been collected, the department would be directed to report its findings to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee by Nov. 30, 2024.
"This bill would help to eliminate the barriers hindering formerly-incarcerated Mainers from being productive members of society," said Sayre. "It aims to close the perceptual gap between what the Department of Corrections has in place and what the community understands to be available. Giving the department the opportunity to evaluate its own results and speak with stakeholder organizations will allow them to benchmark their performance and identify areas for continued development."
The bill has been endorsed by numerous advocacy groups, such as Maine's Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and the state's Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, whose representatives provided testimony in support.
The bill faces further consideration before the House and Senate in the upcoming weeks.
Rep. Dan Sayre is serving his first term in the Maine Legislature and represents House District 135, which includes part of Kennebunk. He serves on the Legislature's Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Sayre], 305-965-2744