Maine State Prisons

This article covers questions you may have on the pre-indictment phase in Federal Court. It covers the period before a Grand Jury is empaneled to hear the prosecutor's evidence against you based on their criminal investigation so far.  At this point, charges have not been filed, but prosecutors and agents will likely still investigate you.…

This article covers what you need to know if a loved one is arrested and sentenced to prison. It will also help you understand and  navigate the prison process as well as inform you on: How to locate and communicate with the prisoner once arrested. How to find constructive ways to express your support and…

Federally Assisted Drug and Alcohol Treatment For many homeless people, life can move from self-imposed isolation to episodes of depression and drug abuse. Fortunately, the federal government works through community health centers across the nation that help the homeless by directly providing primary care services, including alcohol and substance abuse counseling and treatment. It is…

Due to today's search technology, nearly anyone has informational access to other people's lives, including whether someone has a criminal record. According to the American Progress for Justice, over 70 million Americans have a criminal record that can come- up on background checks. Criminal Records are Publicly Accessible Purpose of Expungement The primary purpose of expunging…

Each state has its criminal justice system made up of legislative bodies that enact criminal laws and the policing agencies that enforce them. The same is true for the federal criminal justice system. Federal Department of Justice The Department of Justice leads the federal justice system. The federal justice system has jurisdiction over crimes involving…

This article covers the prison industrial complex, the history of the abolitionist movement, and the current trends in what is known as transformative justice. Reforming The Reformers – The Prison Abolition Movement The Prison Industrial Complex The "prison industrial complex" is a term that gained resonance through the activist work of thinkers like Angela Davis…

At the sentencing hearing, both the prosecutor and defense counsel will have reviewed the probation report and supporting documents and statements. Counsel will present their respective sentencing arguments to the court. The offender will also be present. The defense will argue there are mitigating circumstances supporting a reduced sentence, while the prosecution will argue there are aggravating factors to support an enhanced sentence.

While the words jail and prison often overlap in American society, it's essential to know the difference between them. A jail is a temporary holding facility for people serving a relatively short prison sentence or awaiting trial. When a person first gets arrested, they are usually taken to jail. There, they will stay locked up…