Maine Memory Network

My Journey: Training Service Dogs in Prison
by Anonymous (Maine State Prison)

Inmates at Maine State Prison train dogs as service and companion animals. This is one story.

A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin

As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down

Thoughts of Freedom
by Raymond

Painting my thoughts and loves while incarcerated at Maine State Prison

Ever-Changing Rules
by anonymous

A former prison volunteer describes their experience running a program on the inside.

Hurt People Hurt People
by Nicole Lund

Lund describes experience volunteering at Maine State Prison and befriending an incarcerated person.

Matt Plummer's Story
by Matt Plummer

Matt reflects on how it felt to be released from prison and the work that remained ahead.

In memory of Ed Hall
by Buddy Bieler

Buddy reflects on his friendship with Ed Hall, who was incarcerated with Buddy at Maine State Prison

If You Knew My Story
by Anonymous (Maine State Prison)

A story about incarceration in Maine

An Unknown World
by anonymous

The writer reflects on growing up with an abusive father who was in and out of prison for years.

Daniel Porter's Story
by Daniel Porter

The author combines a personal reflection on his time incarcerated with a creative short story.

We Are An Ordinary Family
by Catherine

Maine's abolitionists offer an answer to my questions about my family's experiences.

Hope
by Buddy Bieler

Buddy reflects on the experience of being incarcerated over the last sixteen years.

My Story of Trauma
by Anonymous (Maine Correction Center)

The process of being incarcerated is traumatic. This is my story.

Used, Abused, Battered, and Confused
by Anonymous (Maine Correctional Center)

The experience of domestic violence and the criminal justice system in Maine

A Fight Worth Fighting
by Philip McIntyre

Philip McIntyre argues that current incarceration practices lead to recidivism.

I feel like I am serving the sentence with him
by Nicole Lund

An officer reprimands a visitor for her attire, later suspending her visits for non-compliance.

Who do you want living next door?
by anonymous

The writer reflects on the lack of mental health services for Maine's incarcerated individuals.

The System Doesn't Care about Rehabilitation
by Robert Fogg

Robert describes periods of incarceration from a young age to the present.

Make It Great Again
by SC

2020, Acrylic on canvas

A Case for Restorative Justice
by anonymous

The writer reflects on the impacts of incarceration on their father and their friend.

An Apology
by Buddy Bieler

Buddy tells Nicole Lund the story of an apology from an officer that he's known a long time.

Childhood Trauma Caused by Childhood Incarceration
by Buddy Bieler

Buddy reflects on trauma he experienced at the Maine Youth Center Special Management Unit as a child

Incarceration is Strange
by anonymous

The writer reflects on a brief incarceration and how it changed the way they think about life.

For Sale
by ALD

2022 Pen on paper 9 x 12 in