criminal justice

Published
February 17, 2023

Commentary: It’s time for Maine to reinstate parole for rehabilitated inmates

Bearing part or all of the cost of their own supervision, eligible prisoners could be released and placed in jobs to support their families, make restitution and pay taxes.
Published
August 16, 2022

Our View: Maine has a chance to lead the way on reinstating parole

Letting a supervised inmate serve the rest of their sentence in the community can work. A state panel has the opportunity to design a functional modern system.
Published
April 27, 2022

Cumberland DA candidate Jackie Sartoris: It’s time for us to lead in criminal justice reform

My work as a prosecutor with a problem-solving treatment approach is rooted in both compassion and accountability.
Published
April 8, 2022

Commentary: We believe in innocent until proven guilty – unless a defense attorney is up for office

The attacks on Ketanji Brown Jackson for representing indigent defendants are just the latest example of how the constitutionally required role is maligned.
Published
March 4, 2022

Our View: Whatever you call it, solitary confinement should be banned

There’s disagreement over how the practice is used, but by any name, isolation does more harm than good to people incarcerated in Maine.
Published
January 18, 2022

Changes eyed to strip ‘prisoners’ and ‘inmates’ from Maine’s statute books

Lawmakers aim to replace language considered stigmatizing with gentler alternatives such as 'resident of a jail.'
Published
January 8, 2022

Maine Voices: Sentence in domestic violence killing bodes poorly for women’s safety

The punishment handed down Dec. 28 in a Newport woman’s death – and the media coverage – minimize the abuse and turn it on the victim.
Published
December 14, 2021

Cumberland DA Sahrbeck: Let’s continue with our progress in criminal justice reform

I’m seeking reelection to effect not only cash bail reform and decarceration but also preventive measures to help people avoid the criminal justice system.
Published
November 27, 2021

Opinion: Who didn’t feel like Arbery’s father when he exclaimed over guilty verdicts?

His cry of surprise recognized this was a moment of triumph for all Americans who’ve watched decades of miscarriages of justice.
Published
November 10, 2021

Leonard Pitts: ‘Blonde hair white skin’ did work in Jan. 6 rioter’s favor

Jenna Ryan predicted she wouldn’t be jailed. She was wrong – but that doesn't undercut her point about color-coded justice.