LEADERS NAME MEMBERS OF JAIL STUDY COMMISSION
Commission charged with advising lawmakers on best ways to strengthen county jail system
AUGUSTA — The Presiding Officers of the Maine Legislature on Monday announced the 15 members of a commission charged with helping to improve Maine’s county jail system. The Legislature’s Commission to Study the State Board of Corrections and the Unified County Corrections System will include key lawmakers, county officials, jail administrators and sheriffs.
“We are bringing together a highly qualified group of experts who have been on the front lines of the challenges facing our county jails,” said House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick. “Our county jail system has been plagued by funding and resource challenges that must be addressed.”
The Legislature has charged the jail commission with recommending ways to strengthen and centralize the county jail system. It will review the current structure of the county jail corrections system, including revenue sources, predictability of costs and revenues, and methods for long-term funding sustainability.
“The work of this commission is integral to ensuring the ongoing safety for our communities,” said Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland. “When agencies work together we can be a stronger, safer state.”
The jail commission’s members include: legislators Representative Aaron Frey (D-Bangor) and Senator Pat Flood (R-Kennebec); county administrators Bob Devlin (Kennebec), Peter Crichton (Cumberland) and Greg Zinser (York); county commissioners Lawrence (Max) Dawson (Sagadahoc), Peter Baldacci (Penobscot) and James Cloutier (Cumberland); jail administrators Captain John Lebel (Androscoggin) and Captain Marsha Alexander (Kennebec); and sheriffs Maurice Ouellette (York) and Joel Merry (Sagadahoc).
“I’m very pleased for the opportunity to bring my criminal defense and budget-writing experience to the commission,” said Rep. Frey, an attorney who practices criminal defense and a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. “I look forward to being part of a constructive dialogue to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the county jail system.”
The Commissioner of Public Safety, Joseph Ponte and the chair of the State Board of Corrections will also be invited to participate as members.
David Flanagan has accepted appointment to chair the Commission. Flanagan has worked extensively in Maine state government and has served as chairman on a number of boards. He served as general counsel for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee investigation of Hurricane Katrina.
The Commission will meet up to six times and report back recommendations to lawmakers no later than December 4, 2013.
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