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After Sexual Abuse Allegations, Lawmakers Consider Reforms For Vermont's Women's Prison

A sign that says Chittenden Regional Correctional Factility, with the building in the background
Meg Malone
/
VPR File
The Vermont House of Representatives is considering reforms after a state-requested report found many allegations of sexual misconduct at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility.

The state of Vermont hired the attorneys at Downs Rachlin Martin in December of 2019 to investigate allegations of abuse at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. The report found a “disturbing” number of allegations of sexual misconduct by officers at the facility, targeting both inmates and fellow staff members. Today we hear from one of the main lawmakers who aims to see the recommendations from the report through, as well as a women's prison rights advocate. 

Our guests are:

  • Rep. Alice Emmons, a Democrat from Springfield and the chair of the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions
  • Ashley Messier, the executive director of Women's Justice and Freedom Initiative, which advocates for incarcerated women with the overall objective of prison abolition

You can find Paul Heintz's original reporting here, and the full report from Downs Rachlin Martin regarding these allegations here.

Broadcast live on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Ruby Smith was an intern in the Vermont Edition production team during the winter of 2020-21.
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