Public commenters press York County on recovery center delay, ICE detainers and jail MAT options

During public comment at the Feb. 19 York County Commissioners meeting, residents asked county officials several substantive questions about jail operations, the planned recovery center, immigration detentions and medication-assisted treatment.

A speaker identified as Susan asked about $600,000 reportedly paid to the county for housing prisoners from Oxford County and whether that money would fund furnishings for a new recovery center. A county official replied the payments “stay with the jail” and are being used to cover jail expenditures, including a stated shortfall after the county’s anticipated state funding dropped roughly $400,000. The official said funds reserved for the former Layman Way facility will be redirected toward the new recovery center’s furnishing needs; the official said that the county expects roughly $2,000,000 will be required for furnishings and kitchen equipment and that the Layman Way closure will create an interim “treatment desert” for about 18 months.

Sarah Johnson, a Sanford resident, asked about the county’s handling of immigration detainers and whether federal reimbursement covers the county’s costs. A county representative said the jail will accept individuals presented with a proper warrant or detainer and noted the county receives SCAP (State Criminal Alien Assistance Program) funding in amounts that “range anywhere from 6,000 to $20,000 a year,” but that that payment “does not in any way, shape, or form cover the actual cost.” The official added the county will not participate in enforcement raids but will house individuals when presented with appropriate federal paperwork.

Johnson also asked whether the jail is using or could use Sublocade (a monthly injectable formulation of buprenorphine) rather than daily Suboxone administration. A county official confirmed there have been “some discussions about SUBLOCADE” but said the medication’s cost — cited in the meeting as about $1,800 per dose — is an obstacle. The official said the county is pursuing grant opportunities to fund Sublocade trials but that, at the time of the meeting, Sublocade was not in routine use and whether MaineCare would cover it for detainees “is not something that I can answer.”

The county official also praised the jail’s MAT program and said staff were prepared to shoulder additional burdens caused by the temporary loss of Layman Way services.

Ending: The county answered public inquiries on funding and operations but did not announce new programs; officials said they will pursue grants and that staff will continue the jail’s MAT services while the recovery center program is completed.