Despite their scale and impact, prisons are among the least transparent and most understudied public institutions in the country. There is growing recognition of the negative health impacts, community harms, and inequities associated with incarceration. As a result, US prisons have been the subject of calls for further oversight and renewed efforts at transformation. Recognizing the need for research and data to be at the center of these efforts, Vermont is participating in the Urban Institute’s Prison Research and Innovation Initiative (PRII).  PRII includes a network of 5 states each committed to using a participatory, data-driven approach to improve metrics on prisons, prompt changes to policies and practices, and hold state leaders accountable for meaningful change. 

Links to Vermont Prison Climate Surveys

The Vermont Prison Climate Surveys were developed as part of the Prison Research and Innovation Network (PRIN) - a consortium of 5 states, each working to establish a model of transparency, accountability, and innovation in prisons. The purpose of PRIN is to better understand prison environments; enhance prisons’ data collection capacities to promote transparency and accountability; and design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based programs and policies to improve conditions for individuals incarcerated in and working in prisons. PRIN is a 4.5 year project taking place from January 2020 to June 2024.

2024 Vermont Prison Climate Survey

2022 Vermont Prison Climate Survey

2021 Vermont Prison Climate Survey

We need a cross-sector approach to public safety that prioritizes the health and well-being of communities and people. Data are a powerful tool to help bridge organizational silos and identify programs and policies that work to address social inequities and reduce justice system involvement. As part of this project, we are partnering with the Turning Point Center of Rutland VT to investigate how providing access to direct services for people experiencing incarceration, such as substance use disorder treatment and recovery support, promotes healing and strengthens communities. 

Restorative justice has been identified as a promising non-carceral approach to accountability, safety, and well-being. However, widespread variation in practice and implementation, coupled with a sparsity of research in the area, has made supporting the effective expansion of these approaches challenging. As part of this project, we are partnering with EJUSA and the Ahimsa collective to develop a community-engaged research approach to identify and address foundational challenges in restorative justice research and build capacity for increasing research in the field.