DOJ Probes Maine Over Transgender Inmate in Women’s Prison
Federal Investigation into Maine’s Housing of Transgender Inmates
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a federal investigation into whether the state of Maine engages in a pattern or practice of housing transgender inmates who were assigned male at birth in women’s prisons. This move comes after the DOJ notified Maine Governor Janet Mills about the start of the probe.
The investigation will specifically look into allegations that a transgender inmate, who was assigned male at birth, has been housed with women at the Maine Correctional Women’s Center in Windham despite complaints that the individual has assaulted or harassed several female inmates. The DOJ has also announced similar investigations in California and has informed Governor Gavin Newsom about the matter.
“Keeping men out of women’s prisons is not only common sense — it’s a matter of safety and constitutional rights,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “The Trump administration will not stand by if governors are facilitating the abuse of biological women under the guise of inclusion.”
Andrew B. Benson, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, added, “Incarcerated individuals can be particularly susceptible to having their rights violated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Maine citizens, no matter where they live, and will work with our colleagues in the Civil Rights Division to ensure that this vulnerable population is protected from harm while housed in state custody.”
The DOJ emphasized that it has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in these matters.
State Response and Previous Controversies
Maine’s response to the investigation has been swift. A spokesperson for Governor Mills stated, “Despite the Department of Justice’s claims, this is yet another politically motivated, predetermined investigation designed to target states that stand up to the Trump administration and its abuses.”
The Maine Department of Corrections also addressed the concerns, stating, “The Department of Corrections takes resident safety concerns very seriously. Anytime a resident makes a report of physical violence or harassment to staff, the department investigates. If the conduct that occurred rises to the level of a crime, it is referred for prosecution. If it violates the department’s disciplinary policy, the residents involved are disciplined.”
This announcement follows a previous controversy when Bondi pulled nonessential federal funding from the Maine Department of Corrections due to a transgender inmate being held in a women’s prison. The incident occurred nearly a year prior, during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on April 8, 2025. A graphic shown during the interview indicated that the Maine DOC was losing over $1.5 million in federal grants.
Bondi did not mention the inmate by name but noted that the individual had killed their parents and a dog in a stabbing. The case involved Andrea Balcer, who went by Andrew at the time of the crime in October 2016. Balcer was sentenced to 40 years in prison in December 2018 after pleading guilty to stabbing their parents and the family’s dog to death.
A search of the Maine DOC online database shows that Balcer, listed under the alias Andrea Balcer, is currently serving a sentence at the Maine Correctional Women’s Center in Windham.
Broader Implications and Legal Battles
The Women’s Center is part of the Maine Correctional Center in Windham and has a capacity of 86 inmates. Days after the nonessential federal funding for the Maine Department of Corrections was withdrawn, Bondi announced that the DOJ had filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education. The lawsuit argued that Maine violated Title IX by allowing transgender athletes who were assigned male at birth to compete in girls’ sports.
Governor Mills and her administration have maintained that Maine allows transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports to comply with state law, specifically the Maine Human Rights Act. The Maine Department of Education has countered that the Title IX case was a political retaliation after Mills challenged President Donald Trump during a February 2025 confrontation over transgender athletes participating in women’s and girls’ sports.
During a National Governors Association event at the White House, Mills told Trump, “We’ll see you in court.” A judge has ordered both sides to be ready for the Title IX case to go to trial by April 1.
Ongoing Legal and Political Tensions
The ongoing legal battles between the state of Maine and the federal government highlight the broader tensions surrounding transgender rights, safety, and legal compliance. As the investigations continue, the implications for both state policies and federal oversight remain significant. The situation underscores the complex interplay between civil rights, public safety, and political ideology in the current landscape.
