The only 72 hour holding facility in central and northern Aroostook County is struggling to find funding for an expansion despite overcrowding.
According to the Bangor Daily News, the facility, located in Caribou, is in desperate need of repairs and expansion. The station, built in 1939 and renovated in 1977, is experiencing issues with leaking faucets and mold. The Caribou Police Department says it also lacks adequate gun storage space.
Most Aroostook Police Departments require the use of Caribou’s facility because Maine state law requires that prisoners be monitored 24 hours a day and held for no more than 72 hours while they gather funds for bail or await arraignment hearings. Caribou’s facility is the only one in northern and central Aroostook County capable of meeting these requirements.
Police Chief Michael Gahagan says the facility held nearly 400 prisoners last year, compared with their average of 250-270 prisoners prior to the pandemic. He says funds for the expansion would need to cover at least three additional cells to meet their new demand.
