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🏛 State Directory

Prisons and Jails in Vermont.

Vermont Department of Corrections manages the Vermont state correctional system. Vermont DOC offender search allows searches by DOC ID or name. Vermont has the second-lowest incarceration rate in the US and has been a leader in com
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6
State facilities
12
County jails
0
Federal facilities
1K+
State inmates

Vermont State Prisons

6 facilities

Vermont County Jails

12 facilities

Vermont Department of Corrections

Vermont DOC offender search allows searches by DOC ID or name. Vermont has the second-lowest incarceration rate in the US and has been a leader in community-based corrections. Vermont operates all correctional facilities statewide - there are no separate county jails.

The official inmate search is available at public.doc.vermont.gov/offendersearch. Federal inmates from Vermont are often housed at FCI Berlin (NH) or MDC Brooklyn (NY).

Visitation in Vermont Facilities

Vermont DOC visitor approval varies by facility. Vermont's commitment to community connections means relatively family-friendly visiting policies. Processing takes 2 - 3 weeks. Vermont's small size means no facility is more than a few hours from any part of the state.

Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Vermont prison directory.

Sending Mail to Vermont Inmates

Vermont DOC mail requires the DOC ID. Vermont has relatively progressive mail policies. Standard 4x6 photos accepted. Vermont's tiny system size means mail processing is generally faster than larger states.

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Vermont facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.

Phone Calls from Vermont Facilities

Vermont is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the Vermont DOC contract.

Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Vermont prison directory.

Sending Money to Vermont Inmates

Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Vermont:

  • JPay (primary for Vermont DOC)
  • Money orders at some facilities
  • Lobby kiosks

See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.

Reentry Resources in Vermont

Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Vermont:

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Prisons

Why does Vermont have no county jails?

Vermont effectively abolished county governance in 1960 when the state eliminated most functions of county government. Today Vermont's 14 counties exist as geographic designations for courts and some administrative purposes but have no correctional authority. Vermont DOC operates all correctional facilities statewide, functioning as both jail and prison for the entire state. With a total population of about 650,000 and fewer than 1,600 incarcerated individuals, a unified state system is both practical and economical. From a family's perspective, this is a genuine simplification: one system, one set of policies, one visitor application process, statewide.

What is Vermont's approach to incarceration?

Vermont has the second-lowest incarceration rate in the United States - about 170 per 100,000 residents, compared to a national average over 300. The state has long emphasized community-based alternatives including Reparative Boards, therapeutic courts, and intensive community supervision. Vermont DOC has studied Scandinavian correctional models and incorporates elements of their philosophy - particularly the idea that incarceration should be temporary, that conditions inside should be as close to community conditions as possible, and that every person in custody should be actively preparing for reintegration. Vermont consistently receives positive evaluations from national organizations assessing correctional quality.

What is a DOC ID in Vermont?

Every Vermont state inmate is assigned a unique DOC ID when they enter state custody. It must appear on all mail sent to Vermont DOC facilities and is required for the Vermont DOC offender search at public.doc.vermont.gov. Because Vermont DOC operates both pretrial and sentenced custody, people may have a DOC ID even before sentencing. Find it through the public offender search by name. The DOC ID is permanent for the duration of the person's involvement with Vermont DOC regardless of which facility they're at.

Does Vermont have free prison phone calls?

No - Vermont has not eliminated phone call fees. Securus Technologies holds the Vermont DOC contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps apply to interstate calls from Vermont state facilities, reducing costs from historical highs, but calls are not free. Vermont's small incarcerated population - fewer than 1,600 people - means there's limited political scale for reform compared to larger states. Set up a Securus prepaid account rather than accepting collect calls.

Where is Northern State Correctional Facility?

Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport is Vermont's only maximum-security facility, located about 3 miles from the Canadian border in Orleans County. Newport is a small city of about 4,500 on the southern shore of Lake Memphremagog, which extends north into Quebec. NSCF is about 80 miles north of Burlington - roughly 1.5 hours in good conditions, but northern Vermont winters can make the drive significantly longer and more difficult. Families in southern Vermont face a nearly 3-hour drive. Video visitation is available and strongly recommended for families who cannot make the trip regularly.

What is Dismas of Vermont?

Dismas House Vermont is a transitional housing program for people leaving incarceration, operating a model where formerly incarcerated individuals live in community with volunteers from outside the prison system. Residents and volunteers share meals, household responsibilities, and daily life - the model is based on the idea that successful reintegration requires genuine community, not just housing. Dismas of Vermont has operated for decades and is considered one of the most effective transitional housing models in the state. If your family member is approaching release and needs transitional housing, contact Dismas early - there is typically more demand than available spots.

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