§ 34-A §3001-A — Boards of visitors

Maine § 34-A §3001-A

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 34-A: CORRECTIONS
• Ch. 3: CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Text

1.
Appointment.
The Governor shall appoint a board of 7 visitors for each correctional facility under the department, as authorized by Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 5.
1-A.
Boards of visitors for women's services; membership.
The Governor shall appoint boards of visitors for women's services to inspect correctional facilities housing female clients and, with regard to female clients, perform the duties assigned to boards of visitors appointed pursuant to subsection 1. Boards of visitors for women's services shall ensure that the incarceration of and services provided to female clients are designed to meet their gender identity needs and reflect best practices established for such incarceration and services. Boards of visitors for women's services are otherwise subject to the same requirements and responsibilities under this section as a board of visitors appointed pursuant to subsection 1, except that, in addition to the member described in subsection 1, paragraph D, a board of visitors for women's services must include one member who was formerly incarcerated in the custody of the department and who has prior child welfare experience with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services, one member who represents a health care provider that provides sexual and reproductive health care and education, one member who is a health care practitioner who provides sexual and reproductive health care and education to women and one member who has an understanding of or experience with domestic violence.
2.
Duties.
Boards of visitors have the following duties.
3.
Visit to correctional facilities and communications with clients and staff.
A member of a board of visitors may visit the correctional facility to which that board is assigned and may speak with clients and with staff. The member shall comply with all departmental policies and procedures and facility security practices regarding access to the correctional facility, shall adhere to all federal and state law regarding confidentiality and shall refer concerns or complaints regarding specific individuals to the chief administrative officer or advocate.
4.
Volunteer activities.
Volunteer activities of a member of a board of visitors may be proscribed by departmental policies regarding volunteer activities generally.
5.
Orientation and training.
A board of visitors must receive annual training, including:

Legislative History

PL 2005, c. 683, §B26 (NEW). PL 2021, c. 620, §5 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 383, §§2-5 (AMD).