Reentry resources in Vermont - what you need to do and where to go after prison

QUICK FACTS BAR

State DOC: Vermont Department of Corrections (VDOC)

Parole Board: Vermont Parole Board

Medicaid expansion: YES (full expansion - 2014)

Voting rights: NEVER LOST - Vermont residents can vote while incarcerated; one of only two states (with Maine) that never removes voting rights

SNAP drug felony ban: Full opt-out - no ban regardless of conviction

Expungement: Strong - Vermont's expungement law is one of the more progressive in New England; covers most misdemeanors and many felonies after waiting periods; automatic expungement for some marijuana offenses

Ban the box: Public AND private employers - Vermont's statewide law covers most employers; also bail-banned state

INTRO

Vermont is one of only two states (with Maine) where felony convictions never result in the loss of voting rights. You can vote from inside a Vermont state prison or correctional facility. Vermont has full Medicaid expansion since 2014, has fully opted out of the SNAP drug felony ban, and is a bail-banned state. Vermont's statewide ban-the-box law covers private employers. The expungement framework is one of the more progressive in New England, covering most misdemeanors and many felony categories after waiting periods. Vermont is a small, largely rural state - the smallest state by population in New England. Burlington (Chittenden County) has the most developed reentry infrastructure. Montpelier (Washington County, the state capital), Barre, Rutland, and St. Johnsbury have limited secondary resources. Rural Vermont - most of the state - has very limited organized reentry services and transportation is a consistent barrier.

FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST

Day 1-3:

Report to your Vermont Parole Board officer or VDOC probation and parole officer as directed. Vermont's Probation and Parole Division administers supervision. Report on the scheduled date.

Day 1-3:

Confirm voter registration. Vermont never removes voting rights - you were able to vote while incarcerated. Confirm or update your registration at olvr.vermont.gov. Vermont has same-day registration.

Day 1-7:

Obtain your Vermont state ID or driver's license. Vermont DMV: dmv.vermont.gov. VDOC provides a state ID to qualifying individuals at release. Bring: birth certificate or VDOC ID, Social Security card, and proof of Vermont residency.

Day 1-14:

Apply for Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care / Dr. Dynasaur). Most low-income adults qualify. Apply at vermontmedicaid.com or call 1-800-250-8427.

Day 1-14:

Apply for SNAP (Vermont 3SquaresVT). Vermont has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban - everyone meeting income and residency requirements qualifies. Apply at dcf.vermont.gov/esd or your local Department for Children and Families (DCF) district office.

ID RESTORATION

Birth certificate:

Vermont Department of Health Vital Records - healthvermont.gov/vital-records. Cost: $10 per copy. VDOC assists with pre-release birth certificate requests - confirm with case manager.

Social Security card:

SSA.gov/ssnumber. Free. Locate nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.

State ID / Driver's License:

Vermont DMV - dmv.vermont.gov. VDOC provides state IDs at release for qualifying individuals. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and Vermont residency. Cost: $31 for ID card.

ID Assistance Programs:

Vermont Legal Aid (vtlegalaid.org) statewide. Legal Services Law Line of Vermont (lawlinevt.org).

VOTING RIGHTS

Vermont is one of only two states (with Maine) where felony convictions never result in the loss of voting rights. You can vote from inside a Vermont correctional facility.

There is no restoration process - your rights are never removed.

Register or update registration at olvr.vermont.gov. Vermont has same-day registration. Vermont conducts elections primarily by mail.

BENEFITS ACCESS

GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE (MEDICAID):

Vermont fully expanded Medicaid in 2014. Most low-income adults qualify. Apply at vermontmedicaid.com or call 1-800-250-8427.

3SQUARESVT (SNAP):

Vermont has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban. Everyone meeting income and Vermont residency requirements qualifies. Apply at dcf.vermont.gov/esd or your local DCF office.

TANF (Reach Up):

Vermont has fully opted out of the TANF drug felony ban.

Housing:

Vermont is a bail-banned state. Federal RRCs serve federal inmates under BOP RRM Boston (covers VT, ME, MA, CT, RI, NH). State-supervised reentry housing is through VDOC-contracted facilities and nonprofit providers. Burlington (Chittenden County) has the most developed network. Vermont is a small state and housing resources are modest statewide.

EXPUNGEMENT AND RECORD RELIEF

Vermont expungement (13 V.S.A. § 7601 et seq.):

Vermont has one of the more progressive expungement frameworks in New England.

What is eligible:

- Arrests without conviction: eligible after 1 year from arrest with no charge, or after dismissal

- Most misdemeanor convictions: eligible 3 years from completion of sentence with no new convictions

- Some felony convictions: eligible 10 years from completion with no new convictions - Vermont covers a range of non-violent felony categories

- Marijuana convictions: Vermont legalized cannabis in 2018 and provided for expungement of marijuana possession convictions for conduct that is now legal - contact VDOC or Vermont Legal Aid for current status

What CANNOT be expunged: Most serious felony convictions, sex offenses, and domestic violence offenses.

Legal resources:

- Vermont Legal Aid: vtlegalaid.org / (802) 863-5620 - statewide

- Vermont Courts self-help: vermontjudiciary.org/self-help

EMPLOYMENT AND LICENSING

Ban the box - Vermont statewide:

Vermont prohibits employers with 1 or more employees from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. This is one of the broader statewide coverages in New England.

Occupational licensing:

Vermont has enacted licensing reform. Some boards now conduct individualized assessments.

Employment assistance:

- Vermont Department of Labor - WorkForce Centers: labor.vermont.gov - statewide workforce development

KEY VERMONT REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS

Dismas of Vermont

dismasofvermont.org / (802) 864-7423 / Burlington

Transitional housing and reentry services in Burlington. Note: Dismas of Vermont is a Vermont-specific organization separate from Dismas Charities (federal, Kentucky) and Dismas House of Nashville (Tennessee). Three separate organizations with the Dismas name - Vermont's is local.

Vermont Legal Aid

vtlegalaid.org / (802) 863-5620 / Multiple offices statewide

Free civil legal services statewide including expungement, housing, and reentry legal needs.

VDOC Probation and Parole Division

doc.vermont.gov

Official VDOC reentry coordination. Pre-release planning, parole transition, and community resource connections.

STATE DOC REENTRY PROGRAMS

VDOC Reentry:

VDOC operates pre-release programming including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. Vermont contracts with some private facilities and out-of-state placements due to the small size of the Vermont correctional system.

HALFWAY HOUSES LINK BLOCK

Find halfway houses and reentry housing in Vermont ->

inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/vermont/

Vermont has federal RRCs under BOP RRM Boston. State-supervised reentry housing is modest - Vermont's small population means limited infrastructure. Burlington (Chittenden County) has the most options.

Vermont is a bail-banned state.

DISMAS NOTE: Dismas of Vermont (dismasofvermont.org / Burlington) is a Vermont-specific nonprofit - separate from Dismas Charities (dismas.com / Louisville, KY - federal BOP contractor) and Dismas House of Nashville (dismas.org / Nashville, TN - Tennessee state contractor). Three distinct organizations sharing the Dismas name - Vermont's is purely local.