Bolduc Correctional Facility

Bolduc Correctional Facility is a state prison for male minimum/community-custody inmates located in Warren, Maine. It has a current population of 222 inmates, and they all have less than three years remaining on their sentences.

The mission of the Bolduc Correctional Facility is to protect the public by providing a safe, healthy environment where prisoners are held to a high standard of conduct and are provided with opportunities for personal growth that allow them to return to society as productive citizens.

The Bolduc Correctional Facility was built in the early 1930's as a farm barracks for the Maine State Prison. Known then as the "Prison Farm," this facility grew to be one of the largest dairy and beef farms in Maine.

Forty prisoners lived at the old farm barracks while a selected few resided at the Prison Farm's "Home Sites." The entire complex included three farms, the prisoners' barracks, poultry barns, turkey barns, piggery, cannery, slaughterhouse, and numerous dairy facilities, including a pasteurization plant.

Large scale crop farming also became a trademark of the Prison Farm. Fields were leased and rented throughout most of Coastal Knox County. The Prison Farm flourished throughout the 1940's and 50's, but began to wane significantly during the 1960's until 1969, when a large fire destroyed many farm buildings and the pasteurization plant. Warden Alan Robbins, citing the lack of profitability and necessary skilled labor, closed the farm in 1970. It's interesting to note that the local newspaper quoted Warden Robbins as saying that the new "drug culture" in our society was not providing the prison with experienced farm hands normally available from a rural population.

Within two years, Warden Garrell Mullaney reopened the Prison Farm with the assistance of the Department of Manpower Affairs. No longer a farm complex, this facility provided maintenance support to the Maine State Prison. Having no budget, a small cadre of officers led by Major Ronald Bolduc reopened this facility utilizing materials and programs from the Department of Manpower Affairs. Within four years, the Prison Farm became the primary vocational training site for the Bureau of Corrections. Prisoners began transferring to this facility from other correctional institutions for their vocational education.

By 1982, the Department of Corrections had obtained ownership of the vocational programs from Manpower Affairs. All functions of the Bolduc Minimum Security Unit were once again under the sole jurisdiction of the Prison Warden. Also at this time, a small farming program had been rekindled under the direction of a part-time prison retiree. This new farm venture has continued to grow until once again the Prison Farm Program is able to provide staple goods,e.g. potatoes and dried beans, to all the Departmental Correctional facilities. The 1997 harvest produced 720 barrels of potatoes and nearly 6 tons of dried beans. Additionally, up to three head of beef cattle are slaughtered each year for use in the facility's kitchen. These are used to teach meat cutting in the Culinary Arts program as well as to feed the facility.

With overcrowding a major problem within the Department of Corrections, the 1980's saw the establishment of several new correctional facilities in other parts of the state. A Bolduc Unit Master Plan study was commissioned in 1988 under the direction of the Allied Ehrenkrantz Group. This proposal was endorsed by public referendum and through new construction and renovation, transformed the old Bolduc Minimum Security Unit to the current Bolduc Correctional Facility. 

Nearly five million dollars was spent between 1990 and 1993 to build two new housing units, a new gymnasium, and to renovate the old barracks. The old barracks building, which at the time of construction housed 62 prisoners, now provides facilities for programs, administration, visitation, and food service. 

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

You may reach the Bolduc Correctional Visitation Office at (207)-273-5125 to schedule a visit. If you want to tentatively schedule a visit please make sure you include the following:

• NAMES & DATES OF BIRTH FOR EACH VISITOR
• THE DATE & TIME YOU WISH TO VISIT
• THE INMATES NAME
• INMATE MDOC #

Per MDOC policy, scheduling will occur two business days prior to the requested visit. If you don't speak directly with a Visitation Officer, you must ensure the information above is included in your voicemail and the timestamp is more than two business days prior to the visit time you request. 

Visitors must be scheduled by the end of the visit call times (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 12:00 to 4:00, and Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 to 1:00) or it will be considered scheduled the following day.

If the visitor doesn't speak directly to scheduling staff, the timestamp from the voicemail will be used to determine if the visitor scheduled in the required timeframe. If you don't leave this information on the voicemail prior to the two business day limit, you can't be scheduled for a visit.

For more information, click here.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

​Programs For ​Inmates

Prisoners housed at the Bolduc Correctional Facility have the opportunity to make significant strides toward a positive reintegration to society. The prisoner can improve his skills, employability and self-knowledge through vocational training, academic and computer education, and counseling programs. The Bolduc Correctional Facility places a great deal of emphasis on a sound work ethic. This is a working facility and meritorious extra good time will only be awarded if earned. Most prisoners recognize this and their efforts are reflected in the overall success of this correctional facility.

Restitution

The Bolduc Correctional Facility is very active in the community. For well over 20 years, the facility's programs have worked to assist local municipalities, state agencies, school departments, community action agencies, and regional historical societies. Projects have ranged from building wheelchair ramps at the homes of handicapped individuals to major construction and renovations such as the Cushing School and the Thomaston Branch of the University of Maine.

The "Hot Shot" Firefighting crew travels throughout the state assisting the State of Maine Forestry Departments. This group has been active for well over ten years and is highly acclaimed for its firefighting efforts.

Crews from the Bolduc Facility have assisted area municipalities and state agencies with roadside clean up and waste dump control. They currently provide the Department of Transportation with three full-time crews. This program has evolved into a major cooperative effort by two state agencies to provide a service to the State of Maine.

Work Release

For nearly 15 years the Bolduc Correctional Facility operated a Work Release Program in the local communities. It was suspended in 1988 to focus primarily on farming and vocational training, but the increase in population has created a need to return to this program.

In the past few years the work release program has grown from two prisoners to a maximum capacity of 30. While on Local Work Release, prisoners will pay room and board as well as any other court ordered restitution.

Religious services

Religious services are also available at the Bolduc Facility and are coordinated by the Chaplain at the Maine State Prison. Many faiths are represented and services, prayer meetings, and study groups are scheduled. Outside religious groups provide numerous activities to the population, including an annual Christmas party.

Programs/Services: Education

All BCF prisoners are encouraged to pursue educational goals and use the resources of the Education Department. Classification refers everyone interested in programs as well as everyone who is not a high school graduate for needs assessment and placement. Programs include:

Adult Basic Ed: Skill building in math, reading, writing

GED: Preparation and testing for the high school equivalency diploma.

Counseling: Vocational and educational planning; life skills workshops; pre-release preparation

College: televised courses through the Education Network of Maine and the Southern Maine Community College via NovaNet.

The Education Department manages the Library. It also sponsors special programs provided by volunteers and groups from the outside, including:

Literacy: Work one-on-one with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) Certified tutors.

New Books, New Readers, a project of the Maine Humanities Council, focuses on the rewards of reading in workshop series for readers at all levels.

Choice Education, an awareness program targeting young adults.

Vocational Training

Six vocational programs offer prisoners the chance to learn or improve marketable job skills:

Building Trades consists of practical experience in construction projects for the institution and sometimes in the local community. It usually covers rough framing, roofing and siding, drywall, interior and exterior finish work.

Culinary Arts trainees may graduate as Assistant Cook or Cook II depending on how well they do in the program. The course covers all phases of food preparation, including extensive training in the bake shop. Graduates have landed good jobs in restaurants and institutions.

Auto Body Repair provides experience in all aspects of body repair and refinishing; each trainee will spray-paint at least one entire vehicle before graduation. The instructor offers a session on custom work for students who have done especially well in the regular program.

Auto Mechanics focuses on engine work, from tune-ups to overhauls, and maintenance work including alignment. Modern equipment includes an electronic analyzer and an all-wheel alignment machine.

Plumbing and Heating trainees are licensed as helpers so that their hours in the program will count toward journeyman license requirements. Practical experience includes heating and plumbing system maintenance and repair as well as new installations.

Electrical Trades trainees are licensed as helpers and may take the journeyman exam after successful completion of the program. Theory and code are studied in the classroom. Since the course takes 12 months, openings are limited and only prisoners with a strong interest in an electrical career are encouraged to enroll.

Each program except electrical takes six months to complete. Each combines classroom study and hands-on work, and is taught by a certified instructor who is a professional in his field. Prior experience is not required.

As an established goal, BCF staff, in coordination with local employers, attempt to transition prisoners from their respective vocational schools to local work release.

The facility’s Community Programs Coordinator works with the Vocational Trades Instructors to try to find placements for those prisoners that graduate with distinction. The hope is that at least a percentage of those placed will continue their employment upon release.

Industrial programs

Wood Products Program

The BCF wood products program is an extension of the MSP wood products program consisting of the manufacturing of wooden novelties which are sold at the Maine State Prison Showroom.

Prisoners provide the basic woodworking skills and in return receive a small hourly wage. In 2006 the program produced 21,055 novelties. The BCF woodworking program normally employs 15 workers.

Farm Program

From a small one acre plot in 1980 to nearly 100 acres of crops under cultivation, the Bolduc Correctional Farm Program has developed into a major supplier of produce for the DOC facilities. They are currently using approximately 90 acres, 40 acres for beans and potatoes, and 50 acres for hay and cattle grazing.

The farm operation is a major contributor and cost savings program to the Department of Corrections.  The current three year agricultural plan is proceeding as expected and by the end of the growing season, there should be three major crops in rotation, i.e., potatoes, dried beans and hay.   These crops effectively complement each other and provide for healthier soils.

This past year also witnessed the construction of a new ninety foot greenhouse.   The ultimate goal will be the construction of a third unit and the implementation of a year-round vegetable program.  In addition, flowers could be grown to enhance the appearance of State buildings in all areas.

The livestock (beef) program has been reduced to only a dozen head, but is sufficient to support the Culinary Arts Program.

A significant addition to the farm program this year was the drilling of a well that has the capacity of replenishing the water storage ponds.  This new function in conjunction with the irrigation system should be able to provide the necessary water to the crops and enhance productions. 

Plate Shop

The Bolduc Correctional Facility operates the state of Maine license plate program in conjunction with the Secretary of State's office. In a non-new issue year they employ six prisoners on a regular basis, and they make and ship 667,000 license plates annually.

Mental Health Department

The Mental Health Department at the Bolduc Correctional Facility is staffed by a full-time Clinical Social Worker. Services provided include counseling in these areas:

• Cage Your Rage.
• Anger Management
• Houses of Healing
• Commitment to Change
• Long Distance Dads
• Social Relationships

Other services include crisis intervention, assessment and evaluation. Individual treatment is provided for prisoners with special needs.

Substance Abuse Counseling and Self-help Programs

• AA - The Gull Group meets weekly on Thursday nights, with attendance taken. Outside volunteers may attend as well as BCF residents. In addition, there is a Sunday night meeting, with no attendance taken, for men who want more AA interaction and are not concerned about attendance records.
• NA - The Y2K group meets weekly on Wednesday nights. Outside volunteers attend along with BCF residents.
• AA Furlough Program - Residents who attend at least three in-house meetings and meet all other requirements may attend AA meetings in the local area. Volunteer drivers provide transportation to these meetings.
• Individual Counseling - Because of the ratio between the substance abuse counselor and clients, and the number of groups run by the counselor, individual counseling is provided on a limited basis to any resident who requests it. This counseling includes crisis, monitoring, case management, and referral to other providers both in and out of the prison system.
• Group Counseling - There are several group programs offered by the Substance Abuse Department at BCF.
• Bottom Line - a mandatory group for all new residents, which provides an orientation to the facility, the department, and programs available to all residents. It also serves as a "Motivational Interviewing" opportunity to allow residents the chance to begin or continue the rehabilitative process.
• Drop-In - a weekly opportunity for residents to drop in to the department for discussion of whatever topic participants may bring; also, films may be shown.
• Film & Discussion - run by the MSP counselor one evening per week, this is comprised of the showing of a recovery-related video and following discussion. The group generally runs from six to ten weeks.
• Addictions 101 - an educational program six weeks long, delivered by residents supervised by the Substance Abuse Counselor. It explores the process of addiction, the process of recovery, and the process of relapse.
• Journey Toward Recovery© - a three-part relapse-prevention program in increasing levels of motivation and intensity.
• Return to Self (Phase One) – delivered in twelve once-a-week sessions, this is a didactic psycho-educational program addressing such topics as Boundaries, Stress Management, Feelings and Communication, Shame, Trauma, the Nature of addiction, Decision-Making, and other relapse/recovery issues and dysfunctional behaviors. This is a closed group.
• Focus on Change (Phase Two) – the next level, strictly voluntary, for those residents who are motivated to continue their own explorations of addiction and other dysfunctional behaviors. This group was developed because of prisoner demand and is presented more as a seminar, depending on more participation by residents. It explores more fully the topics developed in Return. It is also a closed group, twelve weeks in length. Participants must have completed Return to Self.
• Moving Forward – this highly motivated group is open to any resident who has completed the previous two levels, with interpretation of this requirement lying with the counselor. This is a group with a high level of trust, facilitated by one of the group members with the counselor in attendance. The group allows men to continue a formal program beyond the normal offerings of the department and may address issues pertinent to members whose time is growing extremely short. Unlike the other programs except for Drop-In Group, this is a non-certificate program.
• Journey Toward Recovery© utilizes Con Game©, a unique therapeutic game which allows for exploration of values, attitudes, and beliefs around substance abuse and other dysfunctional behaviors, and puts the responsibility for change directly onto the shoulders of participants. Return to Self uses the Correctional Edition of Con Game, while the next levels use the Men's Group Edition.

Pictures of Bolduc Correctional Facility

Careers at Bolduc Correctional Facility

If you are interested in a career with the Maine Department of Corrections at the Bolduc Correctional Facility, you can click here for more information.