Vermont officials outline plan to replace aging Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility with new women’s reentry-focused site

On Jan. 31, the Vermont Senate Committee on IT and Institutions heard a detailed briefing from Department of Corrections staff about plans to replace the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF), the state's only dedicated women's correctional facility, with a new, reentry-focused site likely to be sited on state-owned land in Essex.

Committee members were told CRCF is “a very dated structure, about half a century old,” carries roughly $12,000,000 in deferred maintenance, and costs about $3,000,000 annually to operate — figures the department and its partners say underpin the case for replacement. A Department of Corrections staff member said CRCF was built in the early 1970s as a detention center and “was never meant for long term habitation.”

The department framed the proposed replacement as both a facilities and a programmatic change: planners want a building with increased natural light, higher ceilings, clearer sight lines for staff, dedicated program and reentry space, and flexible housing units that support trauma-informed, gender-responsive care. “A reentry facility is something where folks go near the end of their sentence. The goal is to get them ready to reenter,” said Cathy, director of women's services for the Vermont Department of Corrections.

Why it matters

CRCF is the only statewide facility designed specifically for women. Committee members and DOC staff said the current building’s design limits programming space and complicates both custody and rehabilitative work. Department staff argued a new, modern facility could reduce staffing demand, improve safety and wellbeing for both residents and employees, and improve reentry outcomes — which the department tied to lower recidivism and public-safety goals.

What officials described

Facility condition and capacity: CRCF has 177 authorized beds; speakers said population on a typical day is roughly 120–130 women, with recent upticks at times. Department staff described institutional conditions including limited natural light, hard surfaces, frequent mechanical problems, and constrained administrative space that forces disruptive temporary moves when repairs are needed.

Design goals: Presenters showed examples from other jurisdictions — including a Southern Maine women's facility, Halden Prison in Norway, and facilities in Reykjavik and Copenhagen — to illustrate design features they want to incorporate: smaller-scale living units, common areas with variable seating, on-site vocational space (culinary, studios), clearer sight lines to reduce staffing needs, and dedicated family/visitation spaces such as the department’s existing “Kids Apart” program area.

Site and zoning: The department said it is exploring state-owned parcels in Essex, including former AOT land off the Circ Highway (a southern parcel on a roughly 50-acre site), and noted two Essex parcels each reported to be over 10 acres. Officials said the existing CRCF site in South Burlington is constrained by wetland issues and a small footprint, which limits programming and outdoor space. The presenters said a zoning change from the Town of Essex will be “critical” before permitting and final design can proceed.

Schedule and cost: Officials described permitting and community review as a multi-year process. Department staff gave a permitting window of roughly two to three years before major construction steps, followed by funding and final design. Cost estimates remain preliminary: presenters identified at least $70,000,000 as a planning figure and said construction costs will likely rise if the project is delayed. The committee was also told the state has previously “parked” funds and that approximately $14–16 million is currently appropriated to advance the project; presenters referenced a planning figure of up to $59,000,000 in an extended-range capital outlook but said total project funding has not been finalized.

Community concerns and controversy

Committee members acknowledged the project is controversial. A Department of Corrections staff member said some residents and interest groups oppose any new prison construction, while others press for better facilities. Presenters emphasized efforts to site the facility near CRCF’s current footprint so employees and family visitors retain access. Officials said community engagement, design review, and site-specific permitting will be part of the next phase.

Program and staffing implications

Presenters and committee members repeatedly stressed programming space as central to the facility’s goals. The Southern Maine example was cited by DOC staff as a site that reduced staff stress and radio traffic and improved outcomes after staff and residents moved to a more open, program-rich facility. Committee members warned that building too small could force the department to repurpose program space into beds over time — undermining the rehabilitation aims of the project.

Open questions and next steps

The department and Buildings and General Services (BGS) staff said they will continue design work with BGS, work with Essex on zoning, and complete environmental and permitting reviews. Officials estimated multi-year permitting followed by funding and construction phases. The committee did not take formal votes; members asked for continued updates as site and cost details are refined.