BELFAST — The Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center is charged with helping ex-convicts with their transition out of incarceration and back into the general public. 

The Reentry Center, which is located in Belfast, serves Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and Washington counties. The facility can house up to 60 adult males, all of whom are required to meet certain criteria to qualify. These qualifications include being within 18 months of release and being at a moderate to high risk of recidivism. 

The goal of the MCRRC is to “provide maximum support for an inmate’s successful reentry into their home community,” according to an informational page. While the Reentry Center is home to many success stories, one recent success stands out. 

That story is the tale of Alton Lane, who began his journey at the Reentry Center in early December 2012.

Lane had earned a reputation both in his community, and with local law enforcement as someone with “intense” anger issues that often took the form of violent behavior towards others, said a news release from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.

Over his time at MCRRC, Lane engaged in a variety of programs, “doing the personal hard work that, over time, transformed him into an exceptional member of the community,” the Sheriff’s Office said. 

Lane was such an exemplary member of the Non-Violent Communications class that its teacher, Peggy Smith, invited him to become her coteacher. 

Despite his dedication, and subsequent success, the classes and work undertaken by Lane and others in MCRRC is difficult and often painful.

Here, Lane played an especially pivotal role in class by “courageously recounting the painful stories of his life,” to the other members of the class, according to the release. 

The importance of  having mentors who have personally struggled with the issues at hand is well documented as often being the most compelling learning experience available. 

That knowledge makes Lane’s accomplishment even sweeter; it is not simply a personal success story, but one that will also help others. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com