As an officer at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, Daniel Zorzi’s job has been to guard and protect the 140 women incarcerated at the South Burlington prison. But for more than six years, according to colleagues and inmates, he has routinely used cocaine and other stimulants while on duty. “You would see it in his
I’ve got a big family and lots of friends, so every year I send tons of holiday greetings. But two weeks ago, I spent most of the day writing cards to people I’ve never met—and these messages felt as special as any that I’ve ever written. That’s because they were for some of the most
Signs posted throughout Vermont’s prisons encourage victims of sexual misconduct, physical violence and discrimination to dial what’s known as the Offender Reporting Line. “It is never too late to report!” one sign reads. But unlike similar hotlines at prisons throughout the U.S., Vermont’s does not connect to an independent, third-party organization. Rather, callers are directed
Julie Abbate didn’t hesitate when members of the ABA Criminal Justice Section asked her to draft a resolution about prisoners’ access to tampons and sanitary pads in 2018. She had spent most of her 25-year legal career advocating for prisoners’ rights—particularly female prisoners’ rights—and knew from experience that they often lack access to feminine hygiene
More than one in six juvenile prisoners in Ohio reported being forced or coerced into sexual activity with other prisoners or with prison staff members, according to a nationwide survey. State officials say they have upgraded detention centers and increased supervision to help reduce sexual victimization of juvenile offenders. Ohio’s juvenile detention system continues to