AUGUSTA - Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, introduced legislation Friday to prevent the use of prone and supine restraints, chemical sprays and electroshock devices on juveniles in Maine's correctional facilities before the Maine Legislatures Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
In November 2021, the Childrens Center for Law and Policy published a report indicating the use of prone restraints, pepper spray and tasers on residents at the Long Creek Youth Development Center, a juvenile center located in South Portland. Taking direction from the report, LD 1897 was developed to prohibit such practices.
"The youth held at Long Creek are not adults, which is why they are there in the first place," said Lookner. "LD 1897 will help protect our youth from further trauma. Restorative and trauma-informed treatment is the path forward. It will reduce recidivism and create youth who are better prepared for reentry as contributing members of their communities."
The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Tribal Populations, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Disability Rights Maine and others provided written testimony in support of the legislation.
LD 1897 will come before the committee for a work session on February 18 at 1 p.m.
Lookner, who represents a portion of Portland, is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Lookner], c. 812-1111