A new, smaller work-release facility is being built at the site of a prison that closed over the objections by the local community in Down East Maine.

The Downeast Correctional Center housed about 140 inmates before it was abruptly closed by then-Gov. Paul LePage, who sought to cut costs.

His administration ignited a firestorm by quietly removing inmates in 2018 despite lawmakers’ pleas to keep it open.

The new prison will house around 50 low-risk male inmates, who will be eligible to leave to work at jobs each day and then return in the evening.