A longstanding loophole in prison disciplinary policy allows for punishment regardless of guilt

By: Emma Davis

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: August 20, 2026

Words: 1,619

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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Incarcerated Mainers are pushing back against a longstanding loophole in the Department of Corrections disciplinary policy that allows staff to issue punishments before and regardless of a finding of guilt.

“It flat out just denies incarcerated people their due process rights,” said Foster Bates, president of the Maine State Prison branch of the NAACP.

Language to this effect can be found in the department’s disciplinary policies dating back to at least 1991, …

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