Maine makes public new database of inmates and felons on probation

[Maine-ah]

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/10/news/bangor/maine-makes-public-new-database-of-inmates-and-felons-on-probation/

BANGOR, Maine — Thirty-six convicted murderers and 24 kidnappers live on probation in Maine communities, a new database created for the Maine Department of Corrections shows . The website allows people to search through the database of state’s 9,160 adult prisoners and probationers.

The goal, the department said, is to allow victims to track their abusers and to reduce the workload for corrections staff members who typically handle information requests.

Prisoner advocates say the new database is a scary tool that might prevent probationers from integrating into their communities.

Of the felons in the database, more than two-thirds — about 7,000 — are living in Maine communities on probation. The rest remain in prison.