UPDATE:Governor LePage talked to the media following his order to shutdown the Downeast Correctional Facility.
► Governor LePage's response transcription:
Gov: This is not a new issue. Talk to Peter.
Don: Why today Governor?
Gov: Why not? Why not?
Don: Was it because of the legislature’s vote earlier this week?
Gov: Listen. I am the chief executive of the state of Maine. As I sit here today I have a jail that costs more to operate than a maximum security prison in the state of Maine. The legislature did not fund it for the two year biennial. At some point it was gonna close and I saw today as an ability to save the state a little bit more money and to help the legislature fund Medicaid expansion which passed in November. So thank you very much.
Reporter: Some are calling this a cowardly act.
Governor: “Cowardly act?” (Gov shrugs his shoulders and walks out the doors)
► UPDATE: Former Downeast Correctional Facility employee is angry at Maine's Governor Paul LePage.
Kevin Mallay told NEWS CENTER Maine's Samantha York he was, 'SHOCKED,' that officials emptied the facility in the early hours of Friday morning.
'Shocked we have a governor that would come here with armed guards, with rifles, and remove people from (their) post,' said Mallay.
► FACEBOOK LIVE: Former employees, community members react to DEC closing
Mallay, a 30-year veteran of the facility, said state officials went into the center at 4:30 Friday morning and started removing inmates and removing staff.
Mallay said they would remain strong through this process. "We're Down Easters. We haven't given up yet. So governor, hang on...cause we're ready.'
NEWS CENTER Maine has reached out to the governor for comment, with no response at the time of this publication.
MACHIASPORT (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- New moves at the Downeast Correctional Facility indicate the end may be near for prison.
Jim Mackie is a representative for AFSCME, the union representing correction officers. He said Gov. Paul LePage sent buses to the prison on Friday morning to relocate inmates. On LePage's orders, the staff was also placed on administrative leave.
A union representative for correction officers said Gov. Paul LePage sent buses to the prison on Friday morning to relocate inmates.
The prison in Machiasport houses about 100 inmates. Its operations cost approximately $5 million a year.
Gov. LePage has been pushing to close the prison to save money and resources. He has met resistance from workers at the prison and lawmakers from the region.