A weeklong alternative sentencing program received high-praise from a participant at the Nov. 5 Lincoln County Commissioners meeting. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office hosts two week-long programs each year designed to reduce prison costs. The program is held each April and October at Camp Kieve and Wavus in Nobleboro.  

Prisoners reduce their incarceration time by attending either the two- or seven-day program. Prisoners provide community service and receive counseling in attempt to put them on right track following their stay. During the meeting Chief Deputy Rand Maker reported about the 33 prisoners participated in the program. He also told commissioners one participate expressed his gratitude.

"Following the program, we received a note from a lawyer whose client expressed having a positive experience. This was unsolicited from both the lawyer and client," Maker said. "He spoke highly of the program, and wanted everyone to know about his positive experience."

Sixteen participated in the two-day program which had 10 men and six women. Seventeen participated in the seven-day program with eight males and nine females. Seven counties sent participants. Cumberland had six participating in the two-day program and four in the seven-day. Kennebec and Oxford had one each in the seven-day program. Knox had five in the two-day and three in the seven-day program. Lincoln had two in the two-day program. Sagadahoc had five in the two-day and two in the seven-day program. Waldo had four in the seven-day program.

Maker provided commissioners several program highlights and presented them with a written report by Lt. Michael Murphy of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

During the day, participants worked on community service products. Maker reported multiple community service projects were completed at the Wavus and Kieve facilities along with others in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties. In Phippsburg, participants cleared debris and cleaned cemeteries. In Jefferson, a four-person crew cleared downed limbs, cut brush and cleaned a cemetery. 

Participants built picnic tables at Camp Kieve and repaired the boardwalk and cleaned cabins at Wavus. They also raked and performed an overall cleanup of both camps and prepared each facility for winter. Work sessions were from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. which included a mid-morning and lunch break. 

At night, a two-hour education period was conducted. On Oct. 18 and Oct. 23, Wavus staff presented a team-work and processing information program. On Oct. 19, Morgan McDonald of the Addiction Resource Center spoke on addiction and recovery. On Oct. 20, Major Ray Porter of the Waldo County Sheriff's Department discussed assistance provided by local resource centers and spoke about creating life choices and building a new life after incarceration. 

On Oct. 21, Options clinician Nick Loscocco  provided a program  overview. Options is the state's Overdose Prevention Intensive Outreach and Safety Initiative. The program is coordinated by the state's Office of Behavioral Health. The program provides brief therapeutic interventions, conducts proactive outreach with at-risk communities, de-escalates behavioral health crises, and engages in post-overdose follow-up and recommends referrals. 

On Oct. 22, Lt. Brendan Kane and Dep. Ethan Burns presented on the role of law enforcment. On Oct. 23 the final night was movie night. Participants saw the documentary "The Anonymous People." 

Maker estimated participants worked 1,140 hours resulting in $16,131 savings in labor costs. 

In other action, Sheriff Todd Brackett updated commissioners on changes within the department. Brackett announced the pending retirements of two long serving personnel. Both Lt. Ryan Chubbuck and Scott Hayden have over 50 years combined law enforcment experience. Both will retire in December. Brackett added Chubbuck will remain on a part-time status. 

Commissioners approved accepting $5,285 in federal Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws funding. Brackett reported the program assists law enforcement in monitoring local stores and bars selling alcohol to minors. 

Commissioners also approved an $8,953.72 payment authorization to Coastal Electronics, Inc. in Wiscasset for equipping a new vehicle.