Vermont’s Statewide Recidivism Reduction Strategy: Highlights and Progress

States across the country are recognizing that reducing recidivism among people leaving prison and jail requires a comprehensive approach that reaches all aspects of the corrections system.

Through the Second Chance Act Statewide Recidivism Reduction (SRR) grant program, states are taking important steps to examine current policies and practices and develop practical, data-driven plans to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

Following four principles of corrections system improvement—organizational development, use of risk and needs assessments, quality improvement, and data collection and management—states like Vermont participate in SRR in an effort to reduce the likelihood of recidivism for every person under correctional supervision.

Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) leaders committed to realigning the state’s correctional culture according to these principles. To reach that goal, agency leaders completed a top-down review of policies and procedures and solicited input from DOC staff.