The Sen. Institutions Committee reviews major changes to Vermont’s overstretched and crumbling corrections infrastructure.

by Timothy Page

The Senate Institutions Committee met Friday to review ongoing challenges with medical care, facility staffing, and a record-high detainee population.

Legislative Counsel Ben Novogrowski briefed the committee on Act 159, which implements several reforms aimed at improving inmate care and reducing recidivism. A key provision requires the Department of Corrections to provide released inmates with a 28-day supply of prescription medications and help schedule follow-up medical appointments.

“The thinking behind that was giving them enough time to find a provider, schedule something with a provider, and ensure they weren’t losing out on the prescription drugs they may need,” Novogrowski explained.

The state’s detainee population has reached 533, its highest level in recent years, prompting a legislative study on reducing Vermont’s reliance on out-of-state private facilities. The initiative aims to end this practice by 2034, though it would not affect federal inmates housed through interstate compacts.

Committee Chair Wendy Harrison (D-Windham) expressed particular interest in plans for a new women’s correctional facility, including discussions about whether to incorporate reentry services within the main facility or maintain them as separate operations. Drawing on her experience visiting Maine’s correctional system, Harrison emphasized the importance of maintaining separate reentry facilities.

“The purpose of a reentry facility is to be a separate distinct facility that is almost more of a haven for the people who are getting out,” Harrison said. “It doesn’t work if it’s consolidated.”

The committee also learned of ongoing staffing challenges, particularly regarding hospital coverage for inmates requiring medical care. A recent report addressed the strain on probation and parole officers who have been pulled from their regular duties to provide this coverage, something which the author of this article can confirm from first-hand sources.

Other reforms include providing free non-driver identification cards to released inmates and expanding family-friendly visitation programs currently available only at the women’s facility.

The committee plans to conduct facility visits and hold further meetings with corrections officials as it continues its oversight role. Members also expressed interest in reviewing the upcoming capital bill, which will impact future corrections infrastructure projects.

As the meeting concluded, members worked to clarify the committee’s jurisdiction, which appears to focus primarily on corrections facility operations, while matters relating to parole and probation remain under Senate Judiciary Committee oversight.

The implementation and effectiveness of these reforms will continue to be monitored as Vermont grapples with its growing corrections population and aging facility infrastructure.

See all bills assigned to this committee here. Constituents may contact committee members (click link on name for bio, party affiliation, etc.) with comments, questions and information at the following email addresses: 

Wendy Harrison (D-Windham), Chair wharrison@leg.state.vt.us

Robert “Rob” Plunkett (D-Bennington), Vice Chair rplunkett@leg.state.vt.us

Russ Ingalls (R-Essex) ringalls@leg.state.vt.us

Joseph “Joe” Major (D-Windsor), Clerk jmajor@leg.state.vt.us

Samuel “Sam” Douglass (R-Orleans) sdouglass@leg.state.vt.us

All committee transcripts are available at www.goldendomevt.com, which has proven vital to this continued coverage. Committee meeting video available at the committee’s YouTube channel. They meet in Room 7.