Commission to discuss construction of new Aroostook prison with four new members

CARIBOU, Maine – A commission reviewing options for a possible new county jail is bringing perspectives from the region’s legal, municipal and social work communities.

On Tuesday, county commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins, Aroostook County Action Program Director Heidi Rackliffe, Houlton City Manager Jeremy Smith and Caribou City Manager Penny Thompson to the jail commission created this year.

The Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, built in 1889, was last renovated 40 years ago. Now architects with the National Institute of Corrections are urging county officials to consider building a new jail. The jail, which is licensed to hold 117 inmates, is constantly near or at capacity and lacks adequate space for programs designed to help inmates reintegrate into society, consultants with the National Institute of Corrections said in a written report.