Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee

Fomerly The Joint Legislative Corrections Oversight Committee

The Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee exercises oversight over the Department of Corrections and works with and provides assistance to other legislative committees on matters related to corrections policies.

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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

10:05 AM

Review

Committee jurisdiction and overview of relevant 2017 legislation

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:30 AM

Video Arraignments

• Jessica Brown, Managing Attorney, Chittenden Public Defenders
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Hon. Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Office of Chief Superior Judge
  
• Kevin McLaughin, Sheriff
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Sara Puls, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  

12:00 PM

Department of Corrections

Update

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

Bill Signing

Ceremonial Office
H. 74 - An act relating to domestic and sexual violence
S. 95 - An act relating to sexual assault nurse examiners

2:00 PM

Department of Corrections

Report on the transfer of out state inmates to Pennsylvania

• Rick Byrne, Department of Corrections
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, August 25, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Status Report

Facilities Plan

• Al Gobeille, Secretary, Agency of Human Services
  

10:15 AM

Report on MOU for Mental Health Services

• Karen Barber, Chief Legal Counsel, Department of Mental Health
  
• Mourning Fox, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Annie Ramniceanu, Mental Health Systems Director, Department of Corrections
  

11:15 AM

Department of Corrections

Monthly Committee

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Department of Corrections

Approaches to Substance Abuse Recovery Services in Correctional Facilities

• Thomas Abdelnour, Legislative Specialist, Vermont State Employees Association
  
• Kim Bushey, Program Services Director, Department of Corrections
  
• Anthony Folland, Manager of Clinical Services, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Monday, September 25, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Substance Abuse Recovery Services

• Jennifer Clark, Medical Director, Rhode Island Dept of Corrections
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Sarah Munro, Executive Director, Vermont Recovery Network
  
• Scott Semple, Commissioner, Connecticut Dept of Corrections
  
• A.T. Wall, Director, Rhode Island Dept of Corrections
  
• Ben Watts, Health Services Administrator, Department of Corrections
  

11:30 AM

Update on Incarcerated Parents

• Kim Bushey, Program Services Director, Department of Corrections
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Video Arraignment Update
Judicial Rules Letter

• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  

2:00 PM

Detainee Statistics

• David Cahill, State's Attorney, Windsor County
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• T.J. Donovan, Vermont Attorney General
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

2:15 PM

Department of Labor Report

Recidivism and Funding for Employment for Offenders Under 25

• Sarah Buxton, WIOA Policy and Implementation Analyst, Vermont Department of Labor
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

3:00 PM

Monthly DOC Report

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Council of State Government's Report

Implementing Juvenile Justice Reform

• Nancy Arrigona, Council of State Governments Justice Center
  
• Emily Morgan, Council of State Governments Justice Center
  

11:30 AM

Deputy Transports

• Stephen Benard, Sheriff, Rutland County, Sheriffs' Association
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Kevin McCloughlin, Sheriff, Chittenden County Sheriff's Department
  
• Tari Scott, Chief of Trial Court Operations, Office of Court Administrator
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Reducing the Risk of Non Appearance

Options for facilitating Pre-Trial Communications

• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Jeff Loewer, Chief Information Officer, Vermont Judiciary
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Tari Scott, Chief of Trial Court Operations, Office of Court Administrator
  

2:00 PM

Marijuana Infused Product Testing

• Cary Giguere, Agrichemical Program Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
  
• Virginia Renfrew, Lobbyist, Vermont Cannabis Trade Association
  
• Guy Roberts, Lab Director, VT Agricultural and Environmental Laboratory
  
• Tim Schmalz, Plant Industry Section Chief, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
  

2:30 PM

DOC Monthly Report

• Michael Touchette, Director of Correctional Facilities, Department of Corrections
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Monday, November 13, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Geographic Challenges with the Justice System

• Lt. Col. Matt Birmingham, Director, Vermont State Police
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Seth DiSanto, Chief, Newport Police Department
  
• T.J. Donavan, Attorney General, State of Vermont
  
• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Pennsylvania Prison Issues/Interstate Compact

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  

1:15 PM

Re purposing Windsor County Correctional Facility

Act 85 Report

• Matt D'Agostino, Financial Officer, Department of Corrections
  
• Tom Marsh, Town Manager, Windsor, VT
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Rich Thomas, Windsor Select board Chair, Windsor County Correctional Facility
  

1:30 PM

Act 85 Sec E.317 Use of Residential Care Facilities Report

Act 85 Sec E.317

• Cheryle Bilodeau, Integrated Family Services Director, Agency of Human Services
  
• Jennifer Gresham, Director, Agency of Education Federal and Education Support Programs
  
• Laurel Omland, Operations Chief, Child, Adolescent and Family Unit
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, December 7, 2017

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Initiatives for Reducing the Risk of Non Appearance at Court Proceedings

• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• James Pepper, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Policy Advisor, Vermont Dept of State's Attorney
  

11:00 AM

DCF Recommended Juvenile Justice Changes

• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Karen Vastine, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

11:30 AM

Prison Health Care Pew Report

• Stephanie Barrett, Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
  
• Ben Watts, Health Services Administrator, Department of Corrections
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

DOC Monthly Report

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

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Bail Data

• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

2:00 PM

Strategies to Address Racial Disparities Report Update

• Karen L. Richards, Executive Director, Vermont Human Rights Commission
  

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

4:30 PM

Discussion about Camp Hill

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

5:30 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Schedule Future Meetings

10:15 AM

Expungement Fees

• T.J. Donovan, Vermont Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  
• Patricia Gable, Court Administrator, Vermont Judiciary
  
• Erica Marthage, State's Attorney, Bennington County
  
• Mairead O'Reilly, Poverty Law Fellow, Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Tari Scott, Chief of Trial Court Operations, Office of Court Administrator
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  

11:30 AM

VT State Auditor's 2017 Report on Public Safety Spending

• Doug Hoffer, State Auditor, State Auditor's Office
  

12:15 PM

Lunch

1:15 PM

DOC Physical Infrastructure Inefficiencies

• Chris Cole, Commissioner, Buildings and General Services
  
• Al Gobeille, Secretary, Agency of Human Services
  
• Michael Kuhn, Design & Construction Program Chief, Department of Buildings & General Services
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

2:45 PM

Update on Mental Health Beds and MAT for Inmates

• Annie Ramniceanu, DOC Addiction and Mental Health Systems Director, Department of Corrections
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, August 31, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

DOC Physical Infrastructure Inefficiencies

Continued Discussions

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

11:30 AM

Background on Sealing/Expungment

Update on Act 178 Report re;Qualifying Crimes and Automatic Expungement

• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Cara Cookson, Public Policy Director and Victim Assistance Program Coordinator, Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services
  
• Mairead O'Reilly, Poverty Law Fellow, Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• James Pepper, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• David Scherr, Assistant Attorney General, Vermont Attorney General's Office
  
• Tari Scott, Chief of Trial Court Operations, Office of Court Administrator
  
• Jeffrey Wallin, Director,Vermont Crime Information Center, Department of Public Safety
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

DOC Health Care Services

Update on ACT 11 Sec E. 127 Report

• Stephanie Barrett, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Annie Ramniceanu, DOC Addiction and Mental Health Systems Director, Department of Corrections
  

2:00 PM

DOC Monthly Report

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

2:30 PM

CHINS System Background

Update in ACT 11 Sec C.106 Report re; System Wide Reform

• Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Superior Court
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Kenneth Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, September 20, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Update on Out of State Facility

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

11:00 AM

DOC Inmate Records Background and Report

• Emily Carr, General Counsel, Department of Corrections
  
• Emily Treadeau, Attorney, Defender General's Office
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

DOC Monthly Report and DOC Health Care Services Update

• Michael Fisher, Chief Advocate, Office of Health Care Advocate, Vt. Legal Aid
  
• Julia G Shaw, Heath Care Policy Analyst , Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Ben Watts, Health Services Administrator, Department of Corrections
  

2:00 PM

Juvenile Justice System

Act 201 Update re:Expansion of Services to 18 and 19 Year Olds

• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Ken Schatz, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  
• Karen Vastine, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, October 26, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Innovative Models and Approaches to Judicial Intervention

Alternatives to Judicial Masters, Justice Reinvestment Programs

• Stephanie Barrett, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
  
• Patricia Gabel, State Court Administrator, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Karen Gennette, Executive Director, Crime Research Group
  
• Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Superior Court
  
• Kim Owens, State Drug Court Coordinator
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Non White Offenders Study Committee Report (Act 164)

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• James Pepper, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Elizabeth Scharnetzki, Corrections Research Analyst, Department of Corrections
  
• David Scherr, Assistant Attorney General, Vermont Attorney General's Office
  
• Garry Scott, Lieutenant, Vermont State Police
  

2:30 PM

DOC Monthly Report

Also Follow Up on Contract with Private Prison

• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Thursday, November 8, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Joint Meeting with the Child Protection Oversight Committee

Act 201, Sec 12 Report: Expanding Juvenile Justice

• Lindy Boudreau, Juvenile Justice Director, Department for Children and Families
  
• John Campbell, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Dale Cook, Field Services Director, Department of Corrections
  
• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• Dawn Sanborn, Trial Court Operations Program Manager, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Karen Vastine, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Act 178 Report

Crimes that Qualify for Expungement and Sealing

• Cara Cookson, Public Policy Director and Victim Assistance Program Coordinator, Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services
  
• Laura La Rosa, Trial Court Operations Program Manager, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Mairead O'Reilly, Staff Attorney, Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• James Pepper, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• David Scheer, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
  

2:00 PM

DOC Health Care Services

Act 11, Sec E.127 Report

• Karl Becker, Senior Vice President, CGL Companies
  
• Nolan Langweil, Senior Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
  

2:45 PM

DOC Monthly Update

Including report on Hep C treatment for Inmates

• Michael Fisher, Chief Advocate, Office of Health Care Advocate, Vt. Legal Aid
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Ben Watts, Health Services Administrator, Department of Corrections
  

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Vermont Sentencing Commission Report

Act 142 Sec 3
Sentencing Disparities and Criminal Code Reclassification

• Rebecca Turner, Vice Chair of the Sentencing Commission, Office of Defender General
  
• Thomas Zonay, Superior Court Judge, Chair, Sentencing Commission
  

11:00 AM

Committee Discussion

Legislation Recommendations
Our charges
Facility Replacement Plan

• Brynn Hare, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  
• Lisa Menard, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

CHINS Cases System Wide Reform: Joint Report with Child Protection Oversight Committee

Act 11 Sec C 106 Report

• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Erica Marthage, State's Attorney, Bennington County
  
• Marshall Pahl, Appellate and Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
  
• James Pepper, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys & Sheriffs
  
• Karen Vastine, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  

2:30 PM

Hepatitis C Treatment and the Department of Corrections

• Michael Fisher, Chief Advocate, Office of Health Care Advocate, Vt. Legal Aid
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

3:00 PM

Home Detention Program Review

Improvements,Expansion, and Management
Act 164 Sec 8

• Dale Cook, Field Services Director, Department of Corrections
  
• Matt D'Agostino, Financial Officer, Department of Corrections
  
• Hon Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Court Administrator's Office
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  

3:30 PM

Earned Good Time Report

Act 8 Sec 16

• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  
• Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office
  
• Monica Weeber, Director of Administrative Services, Department of Corrections
  

3:45 PM

Inmate Transportation Study Report

Act 11 (H16) Sec E 207

• Matt D'Agostino, Financial Officer, Department of Corrections
  
• Brian Grearson, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Superior Court
  
• Michael Touchette, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
  

4:30 PM

Adjourn

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