Maine lawmakers consider reestablishing parole

AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are once against considering legislation that would reestablish a parole system in Maine.

The state stopped offering parole in 1976 and now has a Supervised Community Confinement Program that allows some prisoners near the end of their sentences to be supervised in the community.

But supporters of LD 1941, a bill to reestablish parole in Maine, say the current system doesn’t go far enough to address the high cost of incarcerating people, particularly those who are older, need medical care and no longer pose a danger to the public.