Smart Justice Stories Project

So many Vermonters have been impacted by our criminal justice system—a system that still relies on out-of-date, "tough on crime" policies and punitive approaches to justice that don't work and aren't right for Vermont.

We believe in the power of Vermonters' stories, and we want to hear about your experiences with our current criminal justice system.

Please fill out the form below to share your story, or the story of your loved one, so you can help shape the conversation around reform. Together, we can transform Vermont's criminal justice system to be more fair, equitable, and rooted in community-based solutions.

The questions below cover a range of interactions with the criminal justice system. Please answer all questions that apply to you or your loved one's experience. It is fine to leave one or more questions blank if they do not apply.

We at the ACLU of Vermont will not share any of the information you provide to us without further discussion and your expressed consent. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at smartjustice@acluvt.org. You may also reach out by phone at 802-223-6304 ex.120 and speak with our Campaign Director.

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us, and for your bravery in helping create transformative change that will have a real impact on the lives of Vermonters.

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Contact Information

First Name: *

Last Name: *

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City: *

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Your Story

Have you or someone you care about been negatively impacted by Vermont's criminal justice system? If so, how?

If you or your loved one committed a crime, what was happening to you or your loved one that led to the crime/crimes? Example: Had they previously been a victim of a crime? Struggling with addiction, mental health conditions, childhood trauma, etc.?

Did you or your loved one serve time on community supervision (furlough (F.S.U.), parole, probation)? If so, what was that supervision like for you/them? Were you/they returned to the facility (N.O.S. Notice of Suspension) for a technical violation?

(i.e. drug use, curfew violation, out of place, lack of residence, etc.)

Were you or your loved one incarcerated for lack of cash bail? If so, how long and what finally resolved the situation?

Did you or your loved one have minor children in your/their custody at the time? If so, what happened to those children?

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