PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Maine Prisoner Re-Entry Network, which helps those leaving prison or jail reintegrate after incarceration, held its first local meeting at the Aroostook County Action Program in Presque Isle on Wednesday.
About 30 people attended, representing organizations and communities from around Aroostook County. Along with those who were formerly incarcerated, multiple local leaders participated, including those who focus on addressing homelessness and substance abuse. Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen provided his perspective on recidivism.
Re-Entry Network Executive Director Bruce Noddin said that the primary mission of his organization is to create “re-entry ready communities” that feature a variety of resources for the formerly incarcerated after they leave prison or jail. He said some of the most vital resources in this effort are substance use disorder and mental health treatment, along with career help.
Many speakers spoke fervently about the problem of recidivism in The County during the roundtable.
Jason Mann, who moved to the area in December to live with his girlfriend after previously spending time in Hancock County, gave an impassioned speech on the difficulties of life after rehabilitation.
Mann said the multiple felonies on his record were making it nearly impossible for him to find work locally. Additionally, since Aroostook County is inland, he said there are far fewer opportunities on boats — a job he described as a useful avenue for those with criminal records.
“Everywhere I go, it’s retail. It’s corporate,” Mann said. “I’m just not going to get into that stuff. That’s just not how a corporate business like Walgreens works.”
Mann said the job world is only one difficulty of life after incarceration. After a long time getting accumulated to prison life, some of the most mundane things outside can seem alien and scary.
Jason Mann about the difficulties of life after prison at the Prisoner Re-Entry meeting in Presque Isle on Monday. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
“I remember getting released and trying to get my first cup of coffee,” Mann said. “I was scared to death.”
Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen said that he came to the meeting because Aroostook County, along with the rest of Maine, had a “clear problem” with recidivism.
Gillen said a vital part of preventing recidivism is determining if those committing crimes in Aroostook County are suffering from substance use disorder or a mental health crisis. He said officer training was integral to recognizing related signs.
“It’s my responsibility to make sure that everyone I am responsible for is well-trained. We know what we are doing, and we know what we’re looking for, and that we can get people in jail the help that they need,” Gillen said.
ACAP Development and Communication Manager Sherry Locke said she was happy to see representatives from so many organizations and causes work together to fight the recidivism issue as a united front.
Locke said the best way to prevent the recidivism cycle was for communities to provide the resources that allow formerly incarcerated people to have a plan before they get out.
“When folks leave, they will have a plan and know the resources that are available,” Locke said. “And the resources will be ready to serve them.”
Noddin said future meetings would be on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be at the ACAP building on Main Street 1-3 p.m. on March 25.
