Penobscot County Unveils Strategic Relocation and Expansion Plans for New Hampden Correctional Facility Site

Penobscot County unveils plans for a new $60M-$80M jail in Hampden. See details on increased capacity and new mental health facilities for inmates.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 7:19 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Bangor Daily News

Architectural Shift Toward Modern Correctional Standards

The Penobscot County government has quietly published the first comprehensive architectural renderings for a new regional jail, marking a significant departure from previous urban expansion proposals. The updated designs transition away from a previously considered eight-story vertical structure in downtown Bangor toward a sprawling two-story facility located in Hampden’s Ammo Industrial Park. Spanning approximately 92,000 square feet, the new site plan includes provisions for 86 parking spaces and specific zones for future expansion, reflecting a long-term strategy to modernize a correctional system that currently operates out of an aging 19th-century building.

Addressing Capacity and Fiscal Inefficiency

County Commissioner Dan Tremble confirmed that the proposed jail is expected to house approximately 275 inmates, a substantial increase from the 157-person limit of the existing facility. This expansion is designed to curb the mounting financial burden of boarding out roughly 60 inmates per day to external facilities, a practice that cost the county $2.1 million in 2026 alone. Proponents of the new build argue that while the project may require a bond between $60 million and $80 million, it will ultimately stabilize the county’s reserve funds, which have been depleted by millions of dollars annually due to deferred maintenance and overcrowding.

Integration of Specialized Healthcare Services

One of the most transformative aspects of the new floor plans is the inclusion of dedicated spaces for medical care, mental health services, and private attorney consultations. Sheriff Troy Morton has frequently advocated for these improvements, noting that the current infrastructure lacks the necessary room to provide adequate programming for all inmates. By integrating these services directly into the site, the county aims to reduce the logistical costs and security risks associated with transporting inmates to off-site healthcare providers, potentially lowering the overall operational budget over time.