Advocates told the House of Corrections and Excusements Committee that Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) is experiencing a sustained surge in detainees that is straining programming, limiting outdoor time and increasing the need for reentry supports.

Charlie Schinson, policy director at the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Kylen, director of the DIVAS program, described services provided inside CRCF and the pressure created by rising detainee counts. "The vast majority of incarcerated women have histories of interpersonal trauma," Schinson told the committee, summarizing a 2024 survey used by DIVAS to explain the program’s presence at CRCF.

The presenters provided recent service metrics: a 69% increase in one‑on‑one sessions, a 79% rise in weekly group participation and a 66% increase in the number of people served during the latest six‑month reporting period. Reentry services specifically increased about 176% from FY25 to FY26, they said. DIVAS also reported its annual budget at approximately $206,000 and that it is primarily funded through a DOC contract.

Advocates framed those service increases alongside population figures. Schinson noted a 103% increase in detainees over four years, and said CRCF reached a high point of 183 people this fall, including 93 state detainees, while an American Correctional Association figure cited an optimal capacity of 88 for CRCF. "These are crisis conditions," Schinson said, urging a clearer plan and faster progress on a replacement women’s facility.

Panelists and committee members outlined short‑ and medium‑term steps to reduce harm while facility planning proceeds. Recommendations included creating 3–5 additional caseworker positions focused on detainees; revising DOC policy so those positions can provide reentry assistance to detainees (DOC caseworkers currently are limited to serving sentenced individuals); and targeted grants to help people meet release conditions (housing, treatment, IDs). Schinson described how lack of IDs, housing and timely treatment referrals can keep people detained longer than necessary.

Language access and legal representation were additional concerns: witnesses said staff use DOC‑issued phones and third‑party phone translation services, and that language interpretation can be patchy—sometimes relying on other incarcerated people. Committee members discussed whether limited IT or supervised spaces (including a proposal to allow detainees with six months’ custody to access certain IT tools) could be piloted to improve legal access and reentry planning.

The committee asked DOC to provide data to clarify drivers of the detainee increase and to work with advocates on near‑term mitigation; advocates asked the committee to consider both capital (a replacement facility) and operating (caseworker positions, grants) solutions to reduce population pressure.

The presenters welcomed follow‑up coordination with DOC and committee staff; committee members said they plan to review DOC’s budget presentation in more detail.