Good news from the legislative session
In general, the past biennial of the Vermont legislature was not a great one for criminal legal reform in the state. Although overall the number of incarcerated people in Vermont has decreased over recent years, the legislature has increased the penalties for some low-level crimes, for instance retail theft, which will most likely have the effect of increasing the prison population. The best way to address property crimes of this nature is to address homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Vermont needs to understand what drives crime in order to address it. (more…)