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October 14, 2011

Down East prison eyed for closure

By The Mainebiz News Staff

The state's corrections commissioner has pitched a proposal to shut down the Down East Correctional Facility in Buck's Harbor to cut $4 million from the state budget.

Joseph Ponte told lawmakers Wednesday of his plans to close the Washington County facility, a move that would result in the loss of about 70 jobs, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. The facility houses about 150 prisoners, and Associate Corrections Commissioner Jody Breton said other prisons in the state can absorb those inmates.

The proposal is part of efforts to cut $25 million from the state budget, and will be formally presented to the task force formed to find those savings on Oct. 28. But Washington County lawmakers are opposing the plan, including Senate President Kevin Raye, who told MPBN the loss of 70 jobs would have a serious impact in a county already struggling with high unemployment. In August, the county's unemployment rate was 9.3%, compared to the statewide average of 6.5%.

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