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Vermont corrections department settles discrimination complaint over ICE detainee treatment
The state agreed to expand language interpretation and legal access for federal immigration detainees in state prisons, resolving a human rights dispute.
The short version
- The Vermont Department of Corrections reached a settlement with the Vermont Human Rights Commission to resolve a discrimination complaint concerning federal immigration detainees.
- State prisons must now provide mobile interpretation services, prohibit disciplining detainees for failing to follow English-only orders, and grant regular access to legal counsel.
- The agreement does not include monetary damages, and the state must update its operational policies to avoid future legal action.
Key facts
- The Vermont Department of Corrections agreed to a settlement with the Vermont Human Rights Commission resolving a discrimination complaint filed in January.[Associated Press]
- The settlement requires state prison and medical staff to use mobile interpreters and forbids disciplining detainees for disobeying English instructions if English is not their preferred language.[Associated Press]
- The department must supply a daily roster of immigration detainees to the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project and allow designated attorneys to conduct biweekly visits at facilities in South Burlington and St. Albans Town.[Associated Press]
- The agreement includes no monetary compensation and was established to avert civil court litigation.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the Vermont Department of Corrections will maintain full compliance with all mandated policy changes over the long term to prevent future civil litigation.[Associated Press]