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| Lawmakers to probe allegations against Vermont DOC |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 11/04/2003 |
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Vermont lawmakers will investigate charges that Department of Corrections supervisors retaliate against inmates and staff who file complaints and that policy failures have led to suicides by inmates with mental health problems. The problems are said to be greatest at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, where inmate advocates say there are a high number of complaints about programming issues, coercion and inadequate medical and mental health care. The allegations are contained in a letter dated Oct. 30 from Sen. Vincent Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans, to Corrections Commissioner Stephen Gold. The charges grew out of a meeting last month by a legislative committee with advocates for Vermont's prison inmates, Illuzzi said Monday. Last month's meeting was called in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 suicide of inmate James Quigley at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans. He was the fifth Vermont inmate to commit suicide this year. East Berkshire attorney Barry Kade, who participated in the meeting with Illuzzi, said there was a systemwide problem. Illuzzi said the complaints were widespread. Some of the allegations are due to be discussed today at a State House meeting of the Legislature's Joint Corrections Oversight Committee. Gold said Monday he'd read Illuzzi's letter. Gold said the details of how that investigation would be carried out would be discussed at today's meeting. |
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