MACHIASPORT, Maine — A new pre-release center will be built on the grounds of the existing property of Downeast Correctional Center in Machiasport, Gov. Janet Mills and Washington County lawmakers jointly announced Friday.
The new facility will house up to 50 minimum-security prisoners and employ 15 staff, the governor's office said. It will also retain its name of DCF.
"It's a very good day for Downeast," Rep. William Tuell, R-East Machias, told NEWS CENTER Maine.
Gov. Mills' office said the Department of Corrections (DOC) has obtained estimates for design, demolition, and construction, with an estimated budget of $6.5 to $8 million. The DOC is working with the Bureau of Real Estate (BREM) to develop a request for qualifications for an architectural design, setting up the first step in a design-bid-build approach to reopening DCF.
An earlier proposal aimed to open a facility elsewhere in the county.
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Construction is estimated to take about 24 months before an opening.
The DOC is expected to engage with unions, including on the issue of extending recall rights of former employees, the governor's office said.
Funding will come from a state government bond, approved in 2016, which also funds a remodel of Windham's Maine Correctional Center.
Mills said she was proud her administration was able to work closely with state Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Washington; and Reps. Tuell; Rep. Kathy Javner, R-Chester; Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor; and Rep. Robert Alley, D-Beals.
"As someone who fought to keep DCF open, I understand how important it is to the people of Washington County and I shared in their frustration when it was closed," Mills said in a statement. "I thank the Washington County Delegation for working with me and Commissioner Liberty to rectify this situation as best we could and ensure that DCF continues on in this new facility."
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Tuell thanked the governor and her administration.
"We are very happy the Administration is keeping DCF where it is and keeping a promise to the people of Washington County," he said. "Our delegation was committed to the current DCF location, and we are very pleased with the outcome."
Sen. Moore was relieved an agreement had been made.
"I am happy to have been able to work with [Mills] and my fellow Washington County delegation to finally put to rest the issue of Downeast Correctional Facility so the local community can finally move forward with a resolution," Moore said. "While the new facility won’t be to the scale of what DCF once was, it will once again provide an important service to our state and economy."
DOC Commissioner Randall A. Liberty said it felt good to common ground with former DCF employees and lawmakers. "This new facility will keep alive the deeply rooted correctional tradition of the region," he said.