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Corrections commissioner cites staffing, health and remote‑court strains; seeks Wi‑Fi funding
Summary
Vermont's corrections commissioner told the Senate Judiciary Committee the department faces chronic staffing shortfalls, a sicker incarcerated population, rising detainee numbers driven by long court delays, and a $3.5 million Wi‑Fi request to expand services and reduce staff workload.
The commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 20 that the state’s correctional system faces persistent staffing gaps, rising health‑care needs among people in custody, and operational stress caused in part by remote court proceedings.
"Our primary priority has been for the last 3 years and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, our staff and resolving our staffing situation," the commissioner said, summarizing a multi‑year strategic plan. He said the department has about 1,100 staff, operates six in‑state correctional facilities (five for men and one for women), and oversees community supervision across Vermont. The commissioner described the department’s annual budget as roughly in the low‑hundreds of millions and said about 98% of it is general fund.
The commissioner told senators the department’s vacancy rate has improved from roughly…
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