Recidivism among ex-offenders in Maine reached 41% in 2011. Common reasons for recidivism include: a lack of education or vocational training prior to release, and technical parole violations. One of the most technical violations is the inability to pay a fine following release. Expecting ex-offenders to have the ability to pay a fine so quickly after their release into society is unreasonable considering their unemployment. When these people are unable to pay this fine, the state of Maine automatically confiscates their driver’s license, making it impossible to drive to work and difficult to find the money to pay the fine.
In 2017, Maine passed legislation that ends the practice of automatic driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay a fine and in 2019, Maine established a legislative task force to address corrections spending.
Maine has taken small steps to reform its criminal justice system, but has yet to implement significant reforms.
Identification of legislation should not be considered an endorsement of support of, or opposition to, such bills.
Maine Statistical Analysis Center - Reports on Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice Systems