BURLINGTON, Vermont (WCAX) – In 2022, nine inmates in a Vermont prison have died. The Vermont Department of Corrections classified them as natural deaths, unexplained deaths and suicides.
We spoke to the commissioner, who said incidents of self-harm were also an area of concern.
“We’re seeing a group of people who have gone through a lot of trauma in their lives, often with substance use issues and with mental health issues,” said Commissioner Nick Deml from the Vt. Department of Corrections.
According to Deml, some of this stems from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We keep people in lockdown for a long time because we need to keep people safe, but quarantine is hard. We limit visitation, we limit entertainment, and all of that has repercussions,” Deml said.
Inmate death rates in Vermont prisons have remained low year after year, averaging about five deaths per year over the past decade. Of these deaths, only five were suicides.
The number of prisoners who attempted suicide or intentionally harmed themselves was much higher. According to the Department of Corrections, incidents of self-harm were tracked as statements of self-harm, as well as low, moderate and high fatality rates. Examples include asphyxiation, impact and laceration injuries.
In terms of reports, the numbers for 2020 saw a huge increase, almost doubling 2019. Since then, the numbers have dropped to 393 in 2021 and 258 in 2022. Both years were below the five-year average of nearly 450.
“Finding a mental health practitioner is challenging, but we are currently bidding on our healthcare contracts with the goal of creating a new contract that is really more focused on mental health,” Deml said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections joined forces with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to develop solutions to potential mental health disparities in Vermont prisons.
Vermont Linebacker General Matt Valerio said: “Everybody that comes in does get screened, and there are certain time frames where you’re more vulnerable to self-harm. That’s where a lot of the focus is, and it’s right there, Whether you’re a detainee or you’re starting your sentence.”
Valerio said the joint commission is still finalizing its last report.
The Department of Corrections said it was also working to overhaul the complaints system and move to an online monitoring format.
Copyright 2023 WCAX. all rights reserved.
