ME DOC – Downeast Correctional Facility

ME DOC – Downeast Correctional Facility basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 207-255-1100

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Downeast Correctional located at 64 Base Rd in Machiasport, ME are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

The Downeast Correctional Facility is a minimum-security state institution with a capacity of 148, located at the former Bucks Harbor Air Force Station for the housing and rehabilitation of inmates committed to the Maine Department of Corrections.

The Classification Committee has a direct impact on the prisoner for its primary responsibility is to orient each new prisoner to the facility, its housing, care and/or treatment programs. The committee is responsible for the safety and well being of each prisoner assigned to the Downeast Correctional Facility. The committee analyzes all input to determine the initial anniversary and/or required changes to the security status of the prisoners housed at the facility. A caseworker assists prisoners and their families in making recommendations for treatment programs within the community and in the therapeutic and rehabilitative settings.

The Medical Department is staffed 12 hours a day by a Registered Nurse (RN) with visiting Doctors, PAs, LPNs, Dental and Optical staff as needed.

PROGRAMS

The Educational Program is geared for a high school diploma and/or a G.E.D. There is a NovaNET program, which allows prisoners to increase their skills in grades 6 through 12. The NovaNET also offers several college courses via a closed circuit with the Southern Maine Vocational College.

The Vocational Programs are staffed by degreed instructors in the following fields: Upholstery, Welding, and Building Trades. An Industries program was instituted for the manufacture of denim jeans for the entire Department of Corrections prisoner population.

The Community Restitution Program provides other State Agencies, Local Municipalities, and non-profit organizations with assistance in maintaining their facilities. The firefighting crew travels throughout the state assisting the State of Maine Forestry Department. This group has been active for well over ten years and is highly acclaimed for its firefighting efforts.

The Treatment Program consists of psychological treatment with counselors in Substance Abuse Education, Relapse Prevention and Individual Substance Counseling, and Crisis Intervention groups.

Downeast Correctional Facility – Inmate Handbook

Deposits to a phone account can only be used by the inmate to place phone calls through the Maine Department of Corrections debit calling system. Monies in this account cannot be transferred to the general (trust) account.

visitation Info

ME DOC – Downeast Correctional Facility – Visitation

For visitor information please call
Visit Application

Aplicacion Para Visitantes (Español)

The following Visit Procedures are in effect IMMEDIATELY: 
THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE REVIEWED PERIODICALLY AND ADDITIONAL CHANGES MAY OCCUR WITHOUT NOTICE.
•    ALL PERSONS VISITING PRISONERS MUST ARRIVE A MINIMUM OF FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLY FOR ALL VISIT AREAS.
•    All adult visitors are required to produce a valid State or Federally issued picture ID. Refusal or failure to produce sufficient identification or the falsifying of identifying information may result in the denial of visits. 
•    All minor visitors must have either a valid State or Federally issued ID or birth certificate
•    ANY VISITOR WHO LEAVES THE VISIT ROOM FOR ANY REASON WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BACK TO THE VISIT ROOM FOR ANY REASON INCLUDING RESTROOM USE, REGARDLESS OF AGE.
•    NOTHING WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE VISIT ROOM. ONE COAT WILL BE LEFT IN AN AREA DESIGNATED BY THE VISIT OFFICER
•    ONCE VISITS START NO ADDITIONAL VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED IN. YOU MUST BE ON TIME.
•    ALL MINOR CHILDREN WILL BE ESCORTED AT ALL TIMES (EVEN TO THE RESTROOM) AND IF A MINOR NEEDS TO LEAVE THE VISIT ROOM NEITHER MINOR NOR ADULT WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN
•    Persons suspected of carrying a weapon, or who appear to have been drinking intoxicants, or appear to be under the influence of a controlled substance will not be admitted. Consuming or possessing alcohol or drugs on State property is a violation of State law.
•    With contact visits, a prisoner and visitor may embrace or kiss briefly at the beginning and end of the visit. Open mouth kisses are not allowed. Prisoners and visitors may hold hands during the remainder of the visit. Petting or sexual contact will be considered the reason for ending the visit. The hands of the prisoner and visitor must be visible at all times. Unless otherwise restricted, prisoners may hold their minor children in their laps.
•    All children must be seated within the immediate vicinity of the parents or guardians. They may not sit unsupervised. They may not climb on furniture or disturb other visitors in any way, which includes yelling, screaming, throwing things.
•    Loud and profane language is prohibited. Be respectful of others.
•    NOTHING will be passed between visitors and prisoners. TOBACCO IS CONTRABAND.
•    Prisoners and visitors shall not move about the visiting room or visit with other prisoners or their visitors.
•    Prisoners may not bring any item into the visiting room unless they have written authorization. They must leave their jackets and any other items in the pat search room before entering the visiting room. No cameras allowed. 
Coat racks are available outside the visiting room. The State, however, assumes no responsibility for items a visitor brings into the facility. Bassinets, car seats, strollers, stuffed animals, etc., will not be allowed past the lobby area. 
•    Prisoners will remain seated until the visitor(s) get their coats and leave the visiting room. The prisoner will straighten the chairs and clean up his/her visit area.
•    Prisoners will be properly dressed for visits. This includes a blue shirt buttoned up and tucked in. Jackets and hats will not be worn in the visiting room.
•    All persons entering the visiting room are subject to search prior to and as a condition of visiting. Contraband for the purpose of this section is defined as "a dangerous weapon, any tool or other things that may be used to facilitate a violation of Section 757 (Escape), or any other thing which a person confined in official custody is prohibited, by statute or regulation, from making or possessing. Examples of contraband are weapons, cutting blades, drugs, marijuana, alcohol, files, money, and tobacco. Persons violating this rule will be suspended from visiting and are subject to criminal prosecution.
•    Visitors must be properly attired. 
Maine Correctional Center Visitation Dress code (This is effective 1/29/18)
ACCEPTABLE DRESS: These clothing Items will be allowed into visits:
•    All visitors must wear undergarments;
•    Dress slacks, and Khaki pants or jeans;
•    Skirts and dresses knee length or longer;
•    Knee length shorts;
•    Tops and shirts that are loose-fitting and completely cover the upper torso, that does not expose any level of cleavage or breast area below the collar bone;
•    Cardigan style sweaters and over shirts (i.e.: button-downs), with no pockets or zippers, and must be worn with an undershirt. Button down shirts must not be unbuttoned any lower than the top two buttons. (all over shirts are subject to scan by the x-ray machine.) and
•    Closed-toe shoes such as sneakers, boots, or dress shoes.
UNACCEPTABLE DRESS: These clothing items will not be permitted into visits:
•    Gym shorts, short-shorts;
•    Tight fitting clothing;
•    Boxer shorts, or any exposed undergarments;
•    Tight fitting pants of any kind to include, low rise jeans, and Leggings of any kind i.e.: leggings, spandex, and yoga pants;
•    Any items of clothing with rips, tears or revealing holes;
•    Bare midriffs, half shirts, halter tops, or Sleeveless garments (the entire shoulder must be covered). Low-cut sweaters, blouses, v-necks, tank tops, or “tube” tops and shirts that expose any level of cleavage or breast area below the collar bone, and open back shirts; sweatshirts of any kind, to include hooded sweatshirts, and pull over fleece;
•    Zippered shirts. This will include any, and all shirts, sweaters or long-sleeved t-shirts that have a zipper of ANY KIND; and
•    Clothing which refers to gangs, drugs, sex, violence or with vulgar or obscene language, or racial in nature.
•    Dress code rules may be waived in cases where children (0-10) and senior citizens (60 and over) are involved. The officers may request other clothing not be allowed into the visiting room.  In instances where clothing worn by a visitor comes into question, the Visiting Desk Officer will notify the Area Sergeant. Following a visual inspection, the Sergeant will make the determination if the visitor will be permitted to visit. If the visit is not allowed, the visitor will be advised to leave the property. There is no appeal.