Position in Support of ld 1447

Position in Support of LD 1447

“An Act to Authorize Increased Borrowing by the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority to Support the Maine Correctional Center in South Windham”

NAMI Maine supports the funding of renovations at the Maine Correctional Center in South Windham in order to provide the best level of care to individuals currently incarcerated at this facility. Individuals who are incarcerated often have complex medical and mental health needs that should be addressed while in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The Windham Correctional Center is in need of additional funds to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive the appropriate care.
We stand in support of the Department of Correction’s desire to ensure that the quality of care for individuals, found guilty of a crime and therefore placed into the department’s custody, includes effective medical services and a safe physical plant.
NAMI Maine supports this legislation as written with no amendments. NAMI Maine would not support a program expansion to serve additional populations at this facility or the creation of a mental health unit to house patients who require pre-trial assessment or who have been found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR). The State of Maine already has an outstanding intensive mental health unit within the Department of Corrections. The treatment unit, located at Warren State Prison, is addressing the treatment needs of those in the custody of the Department of Corrections. As a resource to Maine’s jails, Warren’s intensive mental health unit is a strong option.
NAMI Maine would be strongly opposed in the event that this bill be amended in any way to provide services to individuals found NCR or Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) at the Windham Correction Facility. Attempting to place individuals found NCR or IST in a correctional setting is blatant criminalization of mental illness.

NAMI Maine is the state’s largest grassroots, mental health advocacy organization. Sustained by seven affiliates and thousands of supporters across the state, NAMI Maine is an active voice for the families, individuals and professionals whose daily lives are impacted by mental illness. For more information about our programs, visit www.namimaine.org.