Proposal to reform youth prison scaled back as lawmakers seek compromise

By: Eesha Pendharkar

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: January 13, 2026

Words: 1,103

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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Frankie Bachelder first entered Long Creek Youth Development Center when he was 14 years old, and was sent to the juvenile detention facility five times by the time he turned 17. On Monday, Bachelder, along with a handful of other previously detained young people, testified in favor of a bill that was intended to repurpose Long Creek into a secure residential treatment facility instead of a prison.

“Each time I was released from Long Creek, …

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