Executive Order No. 3-88 (No. 03-19) [Justice Reinvestment II Working Group]
WHEREAS, Vermont has a history of implementing innovative and effective policy interventions
and evidence-based practices and programs to improve public safety and public health
outcomes; and
WHEREAS, between 2007 and 2008, the Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG),
worked with Vermont state leaders to analyze Vermont’s criminal justice data, interview
stakeholders across the criminal justice system, and develop data-driven policy options
designed to reduce corrections spending and increase public safety which resulted
in 2008 justice reinvestment legislation which improved screening and assessment for
behavioral health treatment needs, increased access to community-based substance use
treatment programs, focused supervision resources on individuals most likely to reoffend
and expanded transitional housing opportunities and job training programs (“Justice
Reinvestment I); and
WHEREAS, Justice Reinvestment I successfully reversed upward pressure on the prison
population which, in 2007 was projected to increase 23% by 2018, so that it actually
fell 7% between Fiscal Year 2007 and Fiscal Year 2015; and
WHEREAS, resources in our criminal justice system must continue to be deployed to
combat crimes in our communities, but we must also thoughtfully evaluate whether we
are effectively investing in strategies that break the cycle of crime and incarceration;
and
WHEREAS, to better identify, analyze, and address challenges in Vermont-particularly
those that lie at the intersection of the opioid crisis and criminal justice-Vermont
state leaders have elected to form a working group and seek support from the U.S.
Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and The Pew Charitable Trusts
to gather data, evaluate processes and programs, and make recommendations on policies
designed to most efficiently allocate resources while keeping the public safe, thus
freeing up funds for reinvestment in strategies that improve public safety and public
welfare; and
WHEREAS, this working group will bring state leaders, agencies and interested parties
from across our criminal justice and behavioral health systems together to use data
and best practices to inform policy changes and improvements.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority
vested in me as Governor, do hereby create the Justice Reinvestment II Working Group,
as follows:
I. Composition and Appointments
The Justice Reinvestment II Working Group shall consist of two members of the administration
appointed by the Governor, the Defender General, or designee, the Attorney General,
or designee, the Executive Director of States Attorneys and Sheriffs, or designee,
the Executive Director of Racial Equity, the Commissioner of the Department of Public
Safety or designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or designee,
the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health or designee, the Commissioner
of the Department of Health, or a designee with expertise in the public health effects
of the opioid crisis in Vermont, a representative from the ACLU of Vermont and a representative
from the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Further, the Governor
shall invite the Speaker of the House to appoint two members of the House and the
Senate Committee on Committees to appoint two members from the Senate.
The Governor shall invite the Chief Justice to serve as Chair of the Commission and
appoint one other member of the Judiciary.
II. Justice Reinvestment II Working Group Charge and Process
The Justice Reinvestment II Working Group will assess the population trends and programming
in the State’s corrections system and consider criminal justice reform strategies
as part of the Justice Reinvestment II initiative with the overarching goals of promoting
safer, healthier communities and reducing costs.
The Justice Reinvestment II Working Group will work with the CSG to conduct a review
of programming, transitional services and population trends in Vermont’s correctional
facilities. The review may include an evaluation of the women’s corrections population
in Vermont and the programming and services to meet their needs, the detention population
and barriers that exist to reducing the corrections population.
The CSG review shall include direct engagement and learning from interested parties
statewide, including, but not limited to Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, Vermont
Crime Victim Services, Vermont branches of the NAACP, Migrant Justice and the Pride
Center of Vermont.
All departments, offices, boards and agencies of the State shall provide assistance
and cooperation to the Working Group and the CSG which may be necessary to fulfill
the purposes of this Executive Order.
On or before December 1, 2019, the Justice Reinvestment II Working Group report on
the data collected, options developed and analyzed and recommendations for policy
changes.
III. Expense Reimbursement
I hereby authorize per diem compensation and reasonable and necessary expense reimbursement
for travel and food for members who are not full-time State employees pursuant to
32 V.S.A. §1010(e).
IV. Effective Date
This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution.
Dated July 9, 2019.