Target URL: /information/vermont-parole-probation-rules (confirm canonical path with Selva)
Links up to: /prisons/vermont (state hub)
Editorial: no em dashes, plain former-insider voice, FAQ headings under 60 chars
Status: LIVE-VERIFIED June 2026 (verification log at foot)
=====================================================
ARTICLE BODY
=====================================================
Parole and Probation in Vermont
If someone you love is on parole or probation in Vermont, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. Vermont has a small and relatively unified correctional system - six state correctional facilities and twelve probation and parole field offices covering the whole state. The Vermont Parole Board sits within the Agency of Human Services and makes all parole decisions. The Department of Corrections supervises everyone in the community - whether on parole, probation, or furlough. Vermont also has one distinction that stands apart from nearly every other state: you never lose the right to vote in Vermont, even while incarcerated. If your person is serving time in a Vermont facility right now, they can still vote by absentee ballot.
Vermont's community supervision tracks
Vermont uses several distinct supervision arrangements. Which one applies depends on how the sentence was structured.
Parole is the conditional early release from prison granted by the Vermont Parole Board. The Board sets parole conditions; the DOC Commissioner supervises parolees in the community. A parolee is still considered to be serving their sentence. If they violate conditions, the Board handles revocation.
Probation is a court-imposed sentence. The sentencing court determines the term and conditions. DOC supervises probationers in the community through the same field offices that handle parole. Probation violations go back to the sentencing court.
Furlough is a distinct Vermont program run by DOC. People deemed low risk while incarcerated can be released to serve a portion of their sentence in the community under supervision and conditions, such as curfews and electronic monitoring, before completing the prison term entirely. Furlough is DOC-administered, not Board-granted.
Supervised community sentence is another Vermont-specific arrangement. Courts impose this type of sentence; DOC sets the supervision conditions; cases remain under the authority of the Parole Board for certain matters.
The Vermont Parole Board
The Vermont Parole Board sits within the Agency of Human Services - not the Department of Corrections. That separation matters: the Board is an independent decision-making body while DOC handles the actual supervision. The Board holds hearings multiple times per month, with hearing schedules posted publicly.
The Board decides whether to grant parole, sets the conditions of parole, issues the parole agreement that the parolee signs, and handles revocation proceedings. After the parole agreement is signed, parole can only be revoked through the formal revocation process set out in Vermont statute.
The Board may also require a parolee to participate as a resident or nonresident in a treatment center program for all or part of the parole period, as long as the DOC Commissioner certifies that adequate treatment, personnel, and programs are available.
For life sentences, parole supervision can be terminated only after 15 years measured from the date of first confinement.
The Board must discharge a parolee at the expiration of the maximum term of the sentence. The Board may also terminate supervision early if the conduct of the parolee and the ends of justice warrant it.
Pardons in Vermont are a separate matter. The Governor retains the constitutional power to fully, partially, or conditionally pardon inmates. The Parole Board's statute is not intended to affect that power.
How to find someone in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Corrections maintains an Offender Locator on its official website searchable by name or DOC number. The DOC number is the identification number assigned to each person in the system. The locator covers people currently incarcerated and people under community supervision including probationers and parolees. Details include DOC number, name, date of birth, current facility or supervision status, and tentative release date.
Vermont treats detailed inmate records differently from many states - not all records are fully public under state law - but the DOC Offender Locator provides enough basic information to confirm custody or supervision status.
For general inquiries, contact Vermont DOC at (802) 241-2442. DOC headquarters: 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT 05671.
Vermont's six state correctional facilities are located in South Burlington (Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility - the state's facility for women), Rutland (Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility), Swanton (Northwest State Correctional Facility), Newport (Northern State Correctional Facility), St. Johnsbury (Northeast Correctional Complex), and Springfield (Southern State Correctional Facility).
For county jail inmates, Vermont's 14 counties each have a sheriff-operated jail. Most county jails do not maintain public online rosters. Contact the county sheriff directly.
Vermont also participates in VINE for automated custody status notifications. Register through VINELink by name or offender ID to receive alerts about transfers, releases, and custody changes.
Voting rights in Vermont: no one loses them
Vermont is one of only two states in the country - along with Maine - where people never lose the right to vote, even while incarcerated. If your person is currently serving time in a Vermont correctional facility, they can still vote by absentee ballot. They should check their registration status, register if necessary, and request an absentee ballot from facility administrators.
This applies while incarcerated. It applies on parole. It applies on probation. There is no period of disenfranchisement in Vermont based on criminal conviction.
How probation works in Vermont
Probation in Vermont is imposed by the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. The court sets the term and conditions. DOC supervises probationers through its 12 field offices statewide using a risk-based supervision model - the Risk Management Supervision Level grid determines how intensive the supervision is based on risk assessment.
Standard conditions include regular reporting to a probation officer, remaining in Vermont without advance approval, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance with any treatment or programming ordered by the court.
Vermont uses graduated sanctions for technical violations - structured non-revocation responses that allow officers and the system to address lower-level noncompliance without immediately seeking revocation. Full revocation for probation violations is handled by the sentencing court.
DOC's 12 field offices
The Vermont DOC maintains 12 probation and parole field offices statewide, with an additional outpost office in Middlebury. These offices provide formal supervision for people on probation, parole, furlough, supervised community sentence, and home detention. The same officer corps handles all supervision types.
Each office covers a geographic region. Contact DOC headquarters at (802) 241-2442 or visit the DOC website for the specific field office covering your county.
Reporting and your supervision officer
This section is for the person on supervision. Whether you are on parole, probation, furlough, or supervised community sentence, your officer works for the Vermont DOC at one of the 12 field offices.
On parole: your conditions were set by the Board and listed in your parole agreement. Read it and keep a copy. The Board can modify conditions or revoke parole.
On probation: your conditions were set by the sentencing court. Violations go back to the court.
On furlough: your conditions are DOC-imposed. DOC manages the furlough program.
Contact before you act. Address changes, travel outside Vermont, employment changes: all require advance approval from your officer. Do not assume anything is permitted without asking first.
For families: use the DOC Offender Locator to confirm status. For parole hearing matters, the Parole Board is part of the Agency of Human Services - not the DOC. Call DOC at (802) 241-2442 for general supervision questions.
Violations: what families should know
For parole violations, the Parole Board handles revocation proceedings. Once a parole agreement is signed, revocation can only occur through the formal statutory process. The Board can revoke parole and return the person to a DOC facility, or re-parole a person who has been reconfined.
For technical violations of probation, Vermont's graduated sanctions framework allows structured responses short of revocation. For more serious violations, the sentencing court holds a revocation hearing and can modify, continue, or revoke probation.
In both cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Show up to hearings.
Early termination and getting off supervision
For parole, the Board can terminate supervision early if the person's conduct and the ends of justice warrant it. For life sentences, termination cannot occur until 15 years from first confinement.
For probation, the sentencing court can terminate supervision early on petition.
Vermont has an expungement and sealing process for certain criminal records. An attorney is the right resource for eligibility and the process.
[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]
- See every prison and jail in Vermont: /prisons/vermont
- Send mail or photos to someone in Vermont: InmateAid mail and photos service
- Send money to someone in Vermont: InmateAid send money
- Search arrest records in Vermont: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)
=====================================================
Frequently asked questions
What supervision tracks does Vermont use?
Parole (Board-granted early release), probation (court-imposed), furlough (DOC pre-release program for low-risk people), and supervised community sentence (court-imposed, DOC conditions, Parole Board authority).
What is Vermont's Parole Board?
An independent board under the Agency of Human Services - separate from DOC - that makes parole decisions, sets conditions, and handles revocations. DOC supervises parolees in the community once released.
Can people on parole or probation vote in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont never removes the right to vote - not for any criminal conviction, not even while incarcerated. People in Vermont prisons can vote by absentee ballot.
What is furlough in Vermont?
A DOC-administered program that allows low-risk incarcerated people to serve a portion of their sentence in the community under conditions such as curfews and electronic monitoring before fully completing their prison term.
How do I find someone in Vermont custody?
Use the DOC Offender Locator on the DOC website by name or DOC number. It covers incarcerated people and those under community supervision. Call (802) 241-2442 for assistance. VINE provides automated notifications.
What is the DOC number in Vermont?
The unique identification number assigned by the Vermont Department of Corrections to each person in the system. Used to search the DOC Offender Locator.
How many DOC field offices does Vermont have?
Twelve probation and parole field offices statewide, plus an outpost office in Middlebury. These offices supervise all community supervision types using the same officer corps.
What are graduated sanctions in Vermont?
Structured responses to technical probation violations that stop short of full revocation - allowing officers to address lower-level noncompliance through intermediate steps before seeking court revocation.
What is a supervised community sentence?
A Vermont court-imposed supervision arrangement where DOC sets the conditions and supervises the person, but certain matters remain under the authority of the Parole Board.
How long must a life sentence parolee be supervised?
At least 15 years from the date of first confinement before parole supervision can be terminated. The Board must discharge a parolee at the expiration of the maximum sentence.
Where are Vermont's state correctional facilities?
Six facilities: Chittenden Regional (South Burlington, women's), Marble Valley Regional (Rutland), Northwest State (Swanton), Northern State (Newport), Northeast Correctional Complex (St. Johnsbury), and Southern State (Springfield).
Who handles parole revocations in Vermont?
The Vermont Parole Board. Once a parole agreement is signed, revocation can only occur through the formal statutory revocation process. The Board can also re-parole someone who has been reconfined after a violation. =====================================================
Stay Connected with InmateAid
Reach Your Loved One in Vermont
InmateAid helps families stay in touch. Set up discounted calls, send letters and photos, add money, or send approved magazines - all in one place.