Downeast Men’s Reentry Center

The Downeast Men’s Reentry Center in Machiasport provides transitional housing for 48 “community release” status men finishing their sentences with the Maine Department of Corrections. This normalized, residential, non-secure facility includes programmatic, educational, and support spaces as well as residential-scale living spaces.

Located on the former Downeast Correctional Facility site, the 9,600-square-foot center offers ample, on-the-job training employment opportunities to the residents while supporting regional seasonal industries.

Finishes and furnishings balance the need for long-term durability and maintainability with the desire to provide a normalized environment to assist the residents in their transition to life “on the outside.” Sleeping areas are organized around cohorts of eight residents that share employment, schedules, and support programming. Efficient layouts provide flexibility for a broad range of uses and future needs, all while balancing the need for efficient supervision and staffing.