Maine Pays $250K to Settle Lawsuit Over Prisoner's Solitary Confinement

Zachary Swain alleged years of mistreatment and lack of mental health care while incarcerated at Maine State Prison.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered glass prison window, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh lighting and dramatic framing of this image evoke the stark, isolating conditions of solitary confinement that Zachary Swain endured for years in the Maine prison system.Portland Today

The Maine Department of Corrections has paid $250,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Zachary Swain, a former inmate who alleged he was deprived of proper mental health treatment by being held in solitary confinement for years at the Maine State Prison. Swain accused prison officials of violating his constitutional and disability rights by categorizing his mental health issues as 'bad behavior' and ignoring his need for care.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights ongoing concerns about the use of solitary confinement and the treatment of inmates with mental illness in the U.S. prison system. The case also raises questions about accountability and oversight within state corrections departments.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Swain was held in solitary confinement for over three years, including one period of 636 days, during his time at the Maine State Prison from 2015 to 2022. The lawsuit states that Swain repeatedly tried to harm himself, including swallowing items that could hurt or kill him. A 2021 investigation by the Bangor Daily News documented the restrictive conditions in the prison's solitary confinement unit, where inmates had conducted a hunger strike in protest.

  • Swain was in custody at the Maine State Prison from December 2015 to February 2022.
  • The lawsuit was filed in Maine's U.S. District Court and dismissed in February 2026.
  • The state paid the $250,000 settlement to Swain in March 2026 after the agreement was finalized in February.

The players

Zachary Swain

A former inmate at the Maine State Prison who filed a lawsuit alleging years of mistreatment and lack of mental health care while in solitary confinement.

Maine Department of Corrections

The state agency that paid a $250,000 settlement to Swain and denied the allegations in his lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“Defendants consciously disregarded Zach's mental illness by categorizing his behavioral problems as solely criminal 'bad behavior', and ignoring or minimizing his significant mental health history and problems.”

— Zachary Swain, Plaintiff

What’s next

The settlement agreement prohibits both sides from discussing the terms of the settlement, so further details about the case may be limited.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in providing adequate mental health care and humane treatment for inmates in the U.S. prison system, and the need for greater accountability and oversight within state corrections departments.