Maine is a centralized state.  A single state executive department administers most services to delinquents in Maine.

How is detention organized? 

The Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services (DJS) administers secure juvenile detention. Youth may be held in detention units at both the Long Creek and the Mountain View Youth Development Centers.

Law enforcement officers or Juvenile Community Corrections Officers (JCCOs) may choose to refer cases to a diversion program, such as a Community Resolution Team. Community Resolution Teams consist of local volunteers trained in restorative justice principles.

Victims of juvenile offenders are entitled to the same rights given to victims of adult offenders in Title 17-A of Maine's Criminal Code. These rights include the right to be notified of plea agreements, judicial proceedings, and the offender’s release; to have input at sentencing; and to request restitution.

Juvenile Community Corrections Officers (JCCOs), working for the Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, provide probation supervision from regional community corrections offices in Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, and Bangor.

Juvenile Community Corrections Officers (JCCOs) must have a bachelor's degree and six months of relevant work experience. Additional years of work experience may be substituted for education.

Youth are committed to the Maine Department of Corrections are for indeterminate periods of time; however, the term of commitment must be for a minimum of one year and may be extended up to age 21. The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections makes placement decisions. Juvenile Community Corrections Officers continue to provide overall case management services to committed juveniles.

The superintendent of the Maine Department of Correction's juvenile correctional facilities makes release decisions based on staff reports regarding progress in the program. The Department of Corrections must review every commitment at least once every 12 months for youth committed to indeterminate sentences.

Juvenile Community Corrections Officers (JCCOs), working for Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services in regional offices, provide aftercare supervision. Community reintegration plans are developed by Unit Treatment Teams comprised of facility staff as well as the supervising Juvenile Community Corrections Officer.

Maine’s Purpose Clause reflects the Standard Juvenile Court Act. Enacted in 1925 and revised numerous times, The Act proposed the idea that each child coming into court jurisdiction shall receive the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to his welfare and to the best interest of the state.

Lower Age: None specified 

Upper Age: 17 

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

The Division of Juvenile Services uses the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory to assess risk of recidivism for all youth under supervision and in placement. The results of the assessment are used to determine supervision level in the community and to develop case plans.