WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont Department of Corrections is making small changes they hope have a big impact.
Officials partnered with a national group to address systemic inequity and make the lives of those living and working inside corrections facilities better.
The national philanthropic organization Chicago Beyond wants to transform correctional practices. They’ve partnered with three state prison systems to introduce holistic safety measures. Facilities in Arizona, Hawaii and Vermont are first in this national effort.
“So our goal has been for a long time to try and increase and promote the wellness of the individuals that both live and work in our correctional system,” Vt. Corrections Commissioner Nick Deml said.
A new partnership is setting the foundation for change. Deml said he met with Chicago Beyond after hearing about the work they were doing to challenge the status quo in corrections.
“They’re finding really practical ways to help us achieve these wellness goals,” Deml said.
Wellness meaning the day-to-day experience of corrections officers and inmates.
Deml says communication between administrators, corrections officers and inmates is key.
“I think that human-centered approach, the ability to hear from the folks most impacted by the problem was a great foundational start,” he said.
“It may seem small but in the world of corrections it’s almost unheard of,” said Nneka Jones Tapia, who is part of the team at Chicago Beyond.
Chicago Beyond’s work inside correctional facilities is focused on more engagement between administration and staff and inmates, as well as improving psychological safety for both groups.
“Just by having those conversations it’s opening up the line of communication in a way the staff and people incarcerated feel valued,” Jones Tapia said.
Small changes include removing barriers between inmates and their visitors, and– to reduce isolation– getting more incarcerated people into recreation.
For staff, addressing the trauma of working behind bars is a major focus.
“It’s small changes like that that can actually have a pretty big ripple effect throughout our system,” Deml said.
All of these changes are also a major part of Corrections’ roadmap to 2030 plan addressing things like staffing, modernization and creating a more just system, as well as health and wellness.