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Lawmakers press DOC over ICE detainee access, language services and attorney visits

House Corrections and Institutions Committee · January 30, 2026
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Summary

DOC leadership defended practices after testimony alleging restricted access for ICE detainees; DOC presented a recent internal review, disputed some earlier statistics, and agreed to standardize signage, interpreter guidance and consider tablets/apps and a working group with advocates.

Department of Corrections officials told the House Corrections and Institutions Committee on Jan. 29 that the department is addressing gaps raised in prior testimony about access to attorneys, language interpretation and medical services for immigration detainees housed in Vermont facilities.

John Murad, interim commissioner, and Laurie Fisher, DOC general counsel, appeared after committee members said advocates had described instances where attorneys or interpreters were denied access. "We treat all individuals in our custody the same," Murad said, while acknowledging the department has taken additional steps for immigration detainees, including sending a daily list of immigration detainees to the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAP) to help ensure attorney access.

DOC described a Chief of Operations review by Travis Denton that found stronger, more consistent language access at Northwest intake than at the women's CRCF intake; the review recommended standardized signage and interpreter‑service guidance across intake, medical and living units, plus standard operating procedure reminders for staff. Murad said DOC found Propio interpreter lines available at intake and that the department is exploring language‑translation apps for facility tablets but is constrained by limited Wi‑Fi and cellular access inside living units.

Murad disputed testimony that average stays were 30 days, saying the historical median stay was four days and current average among those detained is 19 days because some holds are longer. He also provided counts for the day of the hearing: 11 male and 5 female ICE detainees (16 total) and said CRCF has a cap on new detainees when overall facility population exceeds 170.

Laurie Fisher, DOC general counsel, offered to provide documentary evidence, including email exchanges and federal court docket references related to habeas petitions and claims about conditions of confinement; she said some court orders did not substantiate the allegations presented in earlier testimony.

Committee members pressed DOC on inconsistent practices between Northwest and CRCF, space for private attorney‑client meetings, whether the department requires warrants or proper paperwork for transfers, and what remedial steps DOC will take. Murad said the department will move forward with immediate standardization measures, share implementation details with the committee and participate in a working group with advocates.

Next steps: DOC will provide the committee the chief of operations' recommendations, implementation plan for signage and interpreter guidance, and the requested detainee counts; committee members asked DOC to reconvene with advocates and report back.