Reentry resources in Maine - what you need to do and where to go after prison

QUICK FACTS BAR

State DOC: Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC)

Parole: Maine abolished parole in 1976 - people serve determinate sentences; release is to "supervised release" managed by MDOC

Medicaid expansion: YES (full expansion - 2019, after voters passed Question 2 in 2017; implementation delayed by legislature until 2019)

Voting rights: NEVER LOST - Maine residents can vote while incarcerated; one of only two states (with Vermont) that never removes voting rights for felony convictions

SNAP drug felony ban: Full opt-out - no ban regardless of conviction

Expungement: Available - Maine's record sealing framework covers most misdemeanors and many felonies after waiting periods; petition-based; reasonable for a New England state

Ban the box: Public AND private employers - Maine's statewide law covers most employers; also bail-banned state

INTRO

Maine is one of only two states in the country where felony convictions never result in the loss of voting rights. You can vote from inside a Maine state prison. When you are released, your voting rights - which were never taken - remain fully intact. Maine abolished parole in 1976 - there is no parole board, and release from Maine state prison is to a period of supervised release administered directly by MDOC. Full Medicaid expansion was achieved in 2019 after Maine voters passed Question 2 in 2017 and the legislature delayed implementation. Maine is a bail-banned state. The statewide ban-the-box law covers private employers. Maine's record sealing framework provides petition-based relief for most misdemeanors and many felony categories. The reentry service infrastructure is modest - Maine is a small, largely rural state. Portland (Cumberland County) has the most developed network. Bangor (Penobscot County), Lewiston-Auburn (Androscoggin County), and Augusta (Kennebec County, the state capital) have limited secondary resources. Rural Maine - which is most of the state - has very limited organized services and significant transportation barriers.

FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST

Day 1-3:

Report to your Maine Department of Corrections supervised release officer as directed. Maine abolished parole in 1976 - supervision is administered directly by MDOC through community corrections officers. Report on the scheduled date.

Day 1-3:

Confirm your voter registration. Maine never removes voting rights - you were able to vote while incarcerated. If you registered to vote from inside, confirm your registration reflects your new address at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info. Maine has same-day registration at polling places and during early voting.

Day 1-7:

Obtain your Maine state ID or driver's license. Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles: maine.gov/sos/bmv. MDOC provides a state ID to qualifying individuals at release. Bring: birth certificate or MDOC ID, Social Security card, and proof of Maine residency.

Day 1-14:

Apply for Maine Medicaid (MaineCare). Most low-income adults qualify. Apply at maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/mainecare or call 1-855-797-4357.

Day 1-14:

Apply for SNAP (Maine SNAP Food Supplement Program). Maine has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban - everyone meeting income and residency requirements qualifies. Apply at maine.gov/dhhs or your local Department of Health and Human Services district office.

ID RESTORATION

Birth certificate:

Maine Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics - maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital-records. Cost: $15 per copy. MDOC assists with pre-release birth certificate requests - confirm with case manager.

Social Security card:

SSA.gov/ssnumber. Free. Locate nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.

State ID / Driver's License:

Maine BMV - maine.gov/sos/bmv. MDOC provides state IDs at release for qualifying individuals. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and Maine residency. Cost: $5 for ID card.

ID Assistance Programs:

Pine Tree Legal Assistance (ptla.org) statewide. Legal Services for the Elderly (mainelse.org) for qualifying seniors.

VOTING RIGHTS

Maine is one of only two states (with Vermont) where felony convictions never result in loss of voting rights. You can vote from inside a Maine state prison.

There is no restoration process because there is nothing to restore - your voting rights remain intact throughout incarceration and supervision.

Register or update registration at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info. Maine has same-day registration at polling places during early voting and on Election Day.

Maine conducts elections primarily by mail - most registered voters receive mail ballots.

BENEFITS ACCESS

MAINECARE (MEDICAID):

Maine voters passed Question 2 in November 2017 expanding Medicaid, but the legislature delayed implementation. Full expansion launched in January 2019 under Governor Mills. Most low-income adults at or below 138% of the federal poverty level qualify. Apply at maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/mainecare or call 1-855-797-4357.

SNAP (Maine Food Supplement Program):

Maine has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban on SNAP. Everyone meeting income and Maine residency requirements qualifies. Apply at maine.gov/dhhs or your local DHHS district office.

TANF (TANF in Maine):

Maine has fully opted out of the TANF drug felony ban. Eligible families are not excluded based on drug felony history.

Housing:

Maine is a bail-banned state. Federal RRCs serve federal inmates under BOP RRM Boston (covers ME, MA, CT, RI, VT, NH). State-supervised reentry housing is through MDOC-contracted facilities and nonprofit providers. Portland (Cumberland County) has the most developed reentry housing network. Bangor and Lewiston-Auburn have limited options. Rural Maine has very limited transitional housing.

EXPUNGEMENT AND RECORD RELIEF

Maine record sealing (15 M.R.S. § 2261 et seq.):

Maine has a functional petition-based record sealing framework.

What is eligible:

- Arrests without conviction: eligible after 3 years from arrest if no charge, or after dismissal

- Class E and D misdemeanor convictions: eligible 3 years from conviction or release (whichever is later) with no new convictions

- Class C misdemeanor convictions: eligible 5 years

- Class D felony convictions (Maine's lowest): eligible 5 years from conviction or release

- Class C felony convictions: eligible 10 years with no new convictions

- Higher felony convictions (Class A and B): not eligible in most circumstances

- Sex offenses and crimes of violence: not eligible

Effect: Sealed records are removed from public access. The person can state they have not been convicted for most purposes. Law enforcement retains access.

Legal resources:

- Pine Tree Legal Assistance: ptla.org / 1-877-PTLA-LAW - statewide

- Maine Courts self-help: courts.maine.gov/self_help

EMPLOYMENT AND LICENSING

Ban the box - Maine statewide:

Maine prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. After the initial application, employers may inquire and must assess individually.

Occupational licensing:

Maine has enacted licensing reform. Some licensing boards now conduct individualized assessments. The Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation oversees many state licenses.

Employment assistance:

- Maine CareerCenters: mainecareercenter.gov - statewide workforce development with CareerCenters in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta, and other cities

KEY MAINE REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS

Preble Street

preblestreet.org / (207) 775-0026 / Portland

Comprehensive social services including housing, food, healthcare, and reentry support for people experiencing homelessness and returning from incarceration in Portland.

Volunteers of America Northern New England

voanne.org / (207) 373-1140 / Portland (statewide reach)

Transitional housing, substance abuse treatment, and reentry services across Maine. Federal RRC operator.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance

ptla.org / 1-877-PTLA-LAW / Multiple offices statewide

Free civil legal services statewide including record sealing, housing, and reentry legal needs.

Maine Re-Entry Network

mainereentrynework.org

Statewide coordination of reentry service providers. Directory of member organizations.

STATE DOC REENTRY PROGRAMS

MDOC Reentry Services:

Maine abolished parole in 1976. Release from Maine state prison is to a supervised release period administered by MDOC's Community Corrections division. MDOC operates pre-release programming including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.

HALFWAY HOUSES LINK BLOCK

Find halfway houses and reentry housing in Maine ->

inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/maine/

Maine has federal Residential Reentry Centers under BOP RRM Boston (covers ME, MA, CT, RI, VT, NH). State-supervised reentry housing through MDOC contracts. Portland (Cumberland County) has the most options.

Maine is a bail-banned state - no commercial bail bonds operate.