Gov. Shumlin proposes court and educational changes to reduce recidivism

MONTPELIER, Vermont –  In a move to further reduce recidivism, Gov. Peter Shumlin today called for changes in the way courts handle drunk driving cases, as well as the consolidation of the successful Community High School of Vermont and Vermont Correctional Industries programs under the umbrella of Corrections Education.

These latest proposals build on previous work to reduce the number of Vermont inmates who re-offend after their release and return to prison, particularly among youthful offenders. According to the Department of Corrections, the rate of young inmates in Vermont’s prison dropped from 2,074 in 2003 to 938 in June of 2012 (which was down from 1,079 the year before, and 1,306 in 2010).

The Governor announced that Robert Sand, Windsor County State’s Attorney, would join the Vermont Department of Public Safety to help criminal justice professionals throughout the state develop innovative and effective sentencing practices, including the creation of DUI treatment dockets in Vermont. DUI treatment dockets, similar to the drug court model, help impaired drivers overcome their addiction through close