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| Cell Doors Popping Open at New Maine State Prison |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 01/03/2003 |
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There's an unexpected glitch at Maine's new $76 million prison. Cell doors are popping open. Since the Maine State Prison opened in February, four cell doors in the prison's medium-security pod have swung opened unexpectedly, officials said. The problem has occurred mostly at night, while inmates are asleep, and has not affected the sliding cell doors installed in maximum-security areas. Corrections officials said no prisoners have tried to escape or overpower guards because of the open doors. A prisoner would have to pass through several other locked doors to reach freedom. But the problem does have prison guards concerned for their safety. ''I'd be worried that it could create a hostage situation,'' said Ed Willey, coordinator for the union representing prison guards. ''Prisoners could also go after another prisoner. It's absolutely a security risk.'' Problems with the doors began soon after the state moved into new Warren facility on Feb. 13. The steel cell doors, which have a small window and weigh about 400 pounds, are equipped with a pneumatic air lock that is operated by compressed air. State officials suspect moisture may have accumulated in the system, causing the doors to unlock. Ralph Nichols, director of correctional inspections for the state, said prison security contractors are currently working on the problem. Ridley-Owens, a Virginia firm, installed the doors, while Norman Security Group of Alabama, installed more than 4,000 pneumatic security locks. Nichols said faulty doors are not uncommon at new prisons. The same problem occurred shortly after the Androscoggin County Jail opened in Auburn and when the Cumberland County Jail began operating in Portland. Officials said an inmate at the Warren facility who got out of his cell could not make it much further. ''A prisoner would have to go through eight locked doors to just reach the perimeter fence,'' said Warden Jeffrey Merrill. The door glitch is just one of several problems at the new state-of-the-art prison that houses 700 inmates. About 100 prisoners remain in a 23-hour lockdown after protesting a new dress code last week. Inmates have also complained about cold food and lightbulbs that were keeping them awake at night. |
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