Maine State Prison picks new warden following misconduct probe

York County jail administrator Nathan Thayer will serve as the new warden for Maine State Prison after an extensive search, the state Department of Corrections announced Friday.

His predecessor, Matthew Magnusson, was ousted amid a misconduct probe into alleged hazing, harassment and inappropriate sexual relations between staff and inmates at the prison.

Thayer has worked in Maine’s correction system since 2006 and was named ‘Manager of the Year’ by the Maine Sheriff’s Association in 2022. His first day as warden will be May 20.

Maine Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty said he was “extremely excited” to have Thayer on board.

“His demonstrated record of leadership and experience make me confident that he’ll be a great fit for the position,” Liberty said in a statement Friday.