News & Commentary

Final recommendations for potentially far-reaching criminal justice reforms will be discussed at a meeting today of state leaders and the nonpartisan Council of State Governments (CSG).

This week, a Seven Days investigation revealed “credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault” involving more than a dozen correctional officers employed at Vermont’s only women’s prison, Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF), going back to 2011.

The following op ed was written by ACLU of Vermont Staff Attorney Jay Diaz. It first appeared in the Bennington Banner on November 6, 2019

VTDigger released the police body camera footage at the center of the ACLU’s recent Vermont Supreme Court victory in Doyle v. City of Burlington Police Department. Here is our statement.

VTDigger yesterday released the police body camera footage at the center of the ACLU’s recent Vermont Supreme Court victory in Doyle v. City of Burlington Police Department.

Vermonters believe that everyone deserves fair treatment, no matter who they are or where they live -- and right now, our criminal justice system is not working for everyone. 

Yesterday, H. 57 was signed into law by Vermont Governor Phil Scott. This law preserves the right to reproductive health services like abortion and ensures that no government entity can infringe upon or restrict that right.

This legislative session, Vermont lived up to its “brave little state” reputation with historic and far-reaching civil liberties wins. In the midst of sustained, unprecedented attacks on constitutional norms, the ACLU of Vermont – together with our members, supporters, volunteers, and partners – set out to reaffirm our democratic values of equality, liberty, and personal autonomy for all. Thank you for standing with us and making your voice heard at this critical point in our history.

Vermont stands at a crossroads on criminal justice reform. The direction we choose will have enormous implications for the well-being of Vermont communities for generations to come.