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    • Home
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    • Contact
    • Legislation Basics
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  • Home
  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • Facts & Figures
  • Connections & Resources
  • Sisters We’ve Lost
  • Contact
  • Legislation Basics
  • Career & Scholarship

Facts & Figures

Background

 

The following data reinforces why Reentry Sisters is vital to the success and survival of women returning home from prison. Since 1980, women’s incarceration has increased in Maine by 794 percent. Of all the New England states, Maine leaves more children behind per capita when we lock up mothers, as 72% of incarcerated Maine women are mothers. Additionally, 90% of Maine women enter the system as trauma survivors, and many are on psychotropic medication. 

Upon release from prison, the numbers are abysmal. More than 700 people died on probation in Maine from 2013-2023, including many mothers. Formerly incarcerated people are 13 times more likely to be homeless, and women, especially women of color, are more likely to experience homelessness than their male counterparts.





Maine is ranked #1 out of 6 New England states in total incarceration in jails.








Since 1980 in Maine, the number of women in jail has increased 1,981%, and the number of women in prison has increased 794%.










Nationally, about 1 in 8 (13%) of all individuals released from state prisons – and more than 1 in 6 (18%) jail releases – are women. 







Women's incarceration rates  (1922-2015) started to increase in the 1980s. Incarcerated women are more likely to be in jail than prison and 80% are mothers. 






Maine DOC 2022 annual report


The Maine Beacon; Dan Neumann, July 18, 2019






Maine receives an F by the Prison Policy Initiative for parole release system.

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