Vermont Office of the Defender General — Prisoners' Rights Office

Summary

Under 13 V.S.A. § 5259, the Defender General — appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation for a four-year term — must independently investigate every inmate death, serious suicide attempt, and critical-incident injury in Vermont state correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections must notify the Defender General promptly upon any such event and report weekly on ongoing critical incidents. The Defender General receives 'broad access' to all relevant records including video and audio recordings without requiring a subpoena or public-records request, plus unaccompanied access to facilities and incarcerated persons. Investigation findings and policy recommendations are reported to the Department of Corrections and the Joint Committee on Corrections Oversight. The office has no discipline authority over corrections staff.