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A brief overview of the mission, challenges and members of the members of the 2025-2026 House Corrections and Institutions Committee
by Timothy Page
The Vermont Legislature website says the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions “considers matters relating to Vermont’s State bonding as it relates to the financing of State-owned properties, State preservation initiatives, climate change mitigation, and water quality; the Department of Corrections’ role in the criminal justice system; and other similar policies.”
In other words, it’s a two-headed committee overseeing all state property AND the Department of Corrections.
Spiraling costs for a prison system that provides less and less, a system that feeds people from cell to street to cell with ease, conflicts of interest, and the need for public safety: all of these things are related to the way in which our State deals with both crime and with the most vulnerable Vermonters. Reform is certainly on the agenda this Session, but what kind of reform will it be?
Chair Alice Emmons told the committee at its first 2025 meeting Thursday, January 9 that money (or lack of it) will be an important factor in legislation about Corrections this year.
“DOC’s budget is almost $200 million a year out of our state budget. It’s all general fund dollars that comes from all taxes that Vermonters pay. There’s very little, if none, federal dollars coming in. So it’s all on our Vermont taxpayers,” Emmons said.
“They provide people’s health care. We have a contract with a private provider, that I forgot how much that runs. $20 million at least. I think it’s thirty.
“That provides the health care. We pay correctional staff, whole operations, clothing, and facilities. Work programs. Programs, clothing, food, all of that. So however we live at home, that’s what’s happening in the facility, and we’re paying for it.
‘It costs about sixty to seventy thousand dollars per inmate per year, is what it’s costing. So if you really wanna lock up a lot of people, which people do, it’s gonna really put pressure on the budget.”
Below are pix and bios of the House Institutions & Corrections.
Alice M. Emmons (D-Windsor-3) has represented Springfield in the Vermont House of Representatives since 1983, and is the returning chair of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee. Born and raised in Springfield, Vermont, she graduated from Springfield High School before earning her BS from the University of New Hampshire in Durham.
Emmons chairs the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions and serves as Vice Chair of both the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee and the Capitol Complex Security Advisory Committee. She holds positions on several other committees, including the Access Board, Legislative Advisory Committee on the State House, Special Committee on Capitol Complex Flood Recovery, and State Aid for School Construction Working Group. She is an ex officio member of the Special Committee on State House Improvements.
A small business owner, Emmons operates Lamps & Shades by Alice in Springfield, where she resides with her husband John Middleton. She also serves on the Springfield Board of Civil Authority.
James A.R. Gregoire (R-Franklin-6) has represented Fairfield in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2019. Born in St. Albans in 1974 and raised in Fairfield, he graduated from B.F.A. St. Albans in 1992.
Gregoire’s education includes associate degrees in Business Management and Accounting from CCV, as well as a BA in Secondary Education and two master’s degrees in Education from UVM – one in Curriculum & Instruction and another in Educational Leadership.
A veteran, Gregoire served in the U.S. Army (1992-1997) and the Vermont National Guard (1997-2005). His professional experience spans manufacturing/distribution management and education. He currently operates a convenience store in Fairfield.
His extensive public service includes 20 years as Fairfield Town Lister (2003-2023), nine years on the Planning and Zoning Commissions, and service on the Governor’s Veteran’s Advisory Council. He has held multiple leadership positions with American Legion Post 1 in St. Albans, including Commander, and served on several Legion committees at the state level.
Gregoire is the father of James Jr., who serves as a crew chief in the Vermont Air National Guard. His community involvement includes past board membership of the Fairfield Community Center and service as an alternate to the District 6 Environmental Commission under Governor Jim Douglas.
Conor Casey (D-Washington-4) represents Montpelier in the Vermont House of Representatives, where he has served since 2023. His career spans labor organizing, political leadership, and public service.
Before joining the legislature, Casey served as Executive Director of GunSense Vermont and the Vermont Democratic Party. His extensive labor background includes roles as Political Director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association and organizing positions with both the Connecticut Education Association and Vermont NEA. He also worked in Senator Ted Kennedy’s office.
Casey’s public service includes three terms on the Montpelier City Council and current membership on the city’s Homelessness Task Force. He chairs Vermont’s Irish American Legislative Caucus.
Born and raised between Ireland and the United States, Casey holds a BA in Media Arts from Emerson College and an MA in Communications from Dublin City University. A Montpelier resident, he enjoys disc golfing and playwriting in his spare time.
Gina Galfetti (R-Washington-Orange) has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2023. A Barre native, she returned to Vermont in 2013 after spending twelve years working out of state, settling in Barre Town in 2014.
Galfetti is an entrepreneur who founded G Force Painting in Telluride, Colorado in 2007. Upon returning to Vermont, she established G Force Painting Inc in 2017, which now employs 3-6 people seasonally. She briefly worked in the legislative IT department during the 2014 session.
A strong advocate for technical, vocational, and trades education, Galfetti is committed to preserving Vermont’s way of life. She currently serves as an alternate on the Barre Town Development Review Board and is active in volunteer work.
Galfetti earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont in 2013. A resident of Windy Wood Road in Barre Town, she enjoys skiing, horseback riding, and hiking in her free time. She is also known for her many contributions published by the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Troy Headrick (P/D-Chittenden-15) represents the Chittenden-15 district in the Vermont House of Representatives, where he has served since 2023. Originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, he now resides in Burlington with his wife and two daughters.
Professionally, Headrick has worked at the University of Vermont since 1996, where he currently serves as Assistant Director at the Center for Student Conduct. His career also includes work in Human Resources for the City of Burlington and ownership of a landscape design/installation company. He holds certification from the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.
Headrick earned his BS in Psychology/Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Colorado State University.
A lifelong runner and arts enthusiast, Headrick gained unique recognition as the 2021 National Mustache Champion in the Dalí style category.
Brian Minier (D-Chittenden-11) is a Democrat from South Burlington, originally born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and holds master’s degrees in Russian, East European, and Central Asian Area Studies, as well as Slavic Languages and Literatures.
In 2001, he married Kat Scollins in her parents’ backyard in South Burlington. In 2010, Kat secured a position teaching Russian at the University of Vermont in the German and Russian department. Once their youngest child was ready for daycare, Brian became the secretary for that same department.
As his children grew more independent and his work became more manageable, Brian sought to deepen his community involvement. His journey began with coaching soccer, eventually leading him to serve on the South Burlington school board and then to the statehouse.
He has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2023.
Mary A. Morrissey (R-Bennington-5) of Bennington is a dedicated Republican serving her 13th term as a State Representative and her 15th term as Justice of the Peace. Born and raised in Bennington, Vermont, she has a long history of community engagement and leadership.
Mary has been actively involved in various organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Bennington Chamber of Commerce since 2010, Green Mountain Public Transit since 2007, and the Center for Restorative Justice and Bennington Project Independence Adult Day Care since 2003. Additionally, she has contributed to the Cancer Center Community Crusaders since 2013 and was previously involved with the American Red Cross from 1987 to 2009.
Her commitment to service extends to several community groups, including the Catamount Rotary since 1993, the Chamber of Commerce since 2003, and the Board of Civil Authority since 1991. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Elks Club, and many other local organizations.
Mary has received numerous honors for her contributions, including two Paul Harris Fellowships, the Chamber Community Service Award, and the Lions-Melvin Jones Citizen of the Year Award in 2018. She was also selected to represent the United States in a Japan Economic/Education Exchange in 1997.
As a proud Catholic, Mary continues to serve her community and represent the values of her constituents in the Vermont House of Representatives since 1997.
Kevin C. Winter (R-Rutland-Windsor) serves as State Representative for the Vermont towns of Ludlow, Mount Holly, and Shrewsbury. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri as the eldest of four siblings, Winter earned his BS in Engineering from Alfred University, leading to a distinguished 45-year career in corporate manufacturing and sales management with companies including GE, UTC, and Teco-Westinghouse.
A Ludlow resident for 25 years, Winter brings significant public service experience, having served 11 years on a New York state school board and over 20 years as a church Elder. His life experiences include both professional achievements and personal challenges, notably supporting two sons through successful opioid recovery journeys.
Now retired at 69, Winter has been married for 41 years and is a proud father of three married children and grandfather to seven. His commitment to community service continues through his role in the House of Representatives, which he has held since 2025.
Winter’s background combines business acumen, public service experience, and deep community involvement, reflecting his ongoing dedication to serving both his local community and the state of Vermont.
The remaining three members of the committee are William “Will” Greer (D-Bennington-2), Joseph “Joe” Luneau (R-Franklin-3), and Shawn Sweeney (D-Chittenden-7).
For the first two meetings of the Committee, see:
Transcripts available at https://www.goldendomevt.com, the 3rd-party shareware project by Tom Evslin of Stowe.
If one seeks to reach out to these Legislators, emails are below:
Rep. Alice M. Emmons, Chair – aemmons@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. James Gregoire, Vice Chair – jgregoire@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Troy Headrick, Ranking Member – theadrick@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Conor Casey – ccasey@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Gina Galfetti – ggalfetti@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. William “Will” Greer – wgreer@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Joseph “Joe” Luneau – jluneau@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Brian Minier – bminier@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Mary A. Morrissey – mmorrissey@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Shawn Sweeney – ssweeney@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Kevin Winter – kwinter@leg.state.vt.us
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Categories: Corrections, Legislation, Public Safety, State Government
If the demo/prog clowns in the legislature want to cry poor over law enforcement and corrections, why can that excuse not also apply to free motel rooms, naloxone and needle distribution programs and bike lanes? Should we stop plowing the roads, or is that considered an unnecessary expense? Locking up dangerous predators is worth every penny it costs.
One thing Corrections could do is sell the buildings and land at the Southeast State Correctional Facility /Prison Farm in Windsor.
The Facility closed in 2017. Maintaining the property costs the state about $250,000 per year, according to a 2021 legislative report studying uses for the site.
The Town of Windsor would benefit from the sale. It would allow for much needed housing or other development. Currently the state pays the town an amount in lieu of taxes that is a fraction of what the property would be worth on Windsor’s grand list.
I’d encourage this committee to unload the property. It is the duty of government to benefit the people; and it would benefit the people in two ways by decreasing the State’s expense liability for the property, and increasing the Town of Windsor’s tax base.
One way to get free health care is to go to jail. Thank you taxpayers for my free tooth brush.
They stopped even giving envelopes to write home and do legal work (possibly even prove innocence) unless you are there with zero funds for over a month. And the health care is only affordable because they bill Medicaid. Not to mention, the company used (Wellpath) recently filed for bankruptcy.
There are serious issues with conflicting interests, legalized opioid [ab]use, et cetera. Volunteer programs, from educational to religious outreach, have fallen off and are highly restricted. Many who need psychiatric assistance are shunted to correctional facilities for lack of psychiatric institutions, unsurprisingly with little to no treatment provided.
Add to that, housing relatively large numbers of ICE detainees leads to a lack of bedspace for the criminals who legitimately DO need to be there.
Re: Locking people up will cost taxpayers lots of $$, Corrections committee chair warns
And, to be sure, not locking them up could cost you your life.
Reading the Bios of the various members of that committee, it appears that at least there may be some logical thinking members. I, seriously, wish them luck. Tim subsequently mentioned the serious need for many more beds for ones with psychiatric issues and needs for treatment. I don’t think I need to point out at least two individuals that are in desperate need of such treatment. One is in Burlington and the other is still roaming around Central Vt. as far as I know.
It is sad how the mentality of giving criminals the same conditions in prison as there are at home. Why do people who do not want to obey simple rules of society deserve the same conditions as those who do? And, at the expense of obedient citizens.
Understandably, making a living today is very difficult, as is finding affordable housing that is safe and secure. Not being able to get a job that allows affording the basic necessities is part of the overall problem. A lack of livable employment adds fuel to the fire of criminal behavior. Since politicians have made it difficult for companies to open affordable jobs in VT, the responsibility for this part of crime falls
on their backs. Industries avoid VT like it has a plague. With the disappearance of manufacturing jobs, over the last forty years, there has been a loss of people who can fill those jobs. Schools keep telling students they need to go to college to get a better job, which often aren’t there when they have graduated with a huge debt load. The educational system doesn’t prepare students for a life of blue-collar jobs.
It isn’t simple, solving social problems. But you can’t solve them by simply throwing money at solutions that don’t tackle the problems.
Our Vermont legislators, senators, and government are very proud of having reduced the number of inmates from 2200 to approximately 1230 or so over the last 14 years. Apparently a frequent offender with multiple felonies, assaults, and over 1850 encounters with police has not been enough to increase the prison population by one person.
For a moment there, I thought the photo of Brian Minier was of Karl Marx. Rocking that retro soviet socialist revolutionary vibe – we shall know them by their fruits and their how they style their flesh vessel.
We the People would like a break down on that $60,000 to $70,000 per inmate to incarcerate. Bet if the legislature can’t figure out how to make appropriate cuts. We the People can. Enjoy the new seat cushions up in your newly refurbished lounge. My Gawd, the legislature used to be fiscally responsible!