Advocates Identify Ways To Reduce Vermont’s Inmate Population
VSEA Brattleboro Chapter President Robin Rieske participated in one of two press conferences being held statewide by the coalition Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform. The group, which is led by Rep. Suzy Wizowaty (pictured here, left, with Robin), is campaigning to return Vermont offenders back to the state and out of the private, for-profit, out-of-state prisons.
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VSEA Brattleboro Chapter President Robin Rieske participated in one of two press conferences being held statewide by the coalition Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform. The group, which is led by Rep. Suzy Wizowaty (pictured here, left, with Robin), is campaigning to return Vermont offenders back to the state and out of the private, for-profit, out-of-state prisons.
Here is the message Robin delivered yesterday:
"Hello. My name is Robin Rieske and I am here today on behalf of the Vermont State Employees Association and the thousands of state employees we represent across Vermont who work in Corrections.
VSEA and our frontline corrections’ workers support Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform’s goal to return Vermont offenders to our state.
All too often, VSEA’s corrections members see and witness what happens to Vermont offenders who are sent to these out-of-state warehouses. Our Correctional Officers and Parole and Probation employees report to us that these offenders come back to Vermont hardened, and in far too many cases, with gang ties.
Because these offenders are out of state, they often don’t have family nearby, and frontline workers strongly agree that a lack of family contact does take a toll and sometimes does have negative ramifications.
When it comes to offering a level of rehabilitation that allows Vermont offenders to re-enter society as a positive contributor, VSEA corrections members tell us that rehabilitation in Vermont correctional facilities is excellent but, in the out-of-state warehouses, rehabilitation consists primarily of a pack of smokes and a Gameboy. Vermont can and must do better.
Today, VSEA stands with Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform to call on the State and lawmakers to stop kicking the can down the road and finally take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that Vermont offenders receive their rehabilitation right here in Vermont…and with their family, friends and other support networks nearby.
When Vermont created its corrections system, it did so with an emphasis on rehabilitation and a commitment to house our offenders in smaller facilities that didn’t resemble larger, private institutions, like the ones in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona and other states.
It’s time for Vermont to bring our offenders home and start providing them with the programming and rehabilitation they need to become contributing and valuable members of our Vermont towns and cities.
"VSEA and our corrections members thank you."
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