The Vermont Department of Corrections will begin winding down its Community Restitution Program

The Vermont Department of Corrections announced this week that it would begin winding down its Community Restitution Program, commonly called work crew. Work crew sentences were traditionally used to prevent the incarceration of low-risk offenders. Rather than prison, the courts sentenced individuals to varying periods on a work crew. The use of work crew sentences has been significantly reduced in recent years due to legislative action and changes in sentencing practices by the courts. Because of that and changes in supervision practices, DOC officials say the program is no longer viable. Vermonters whose offenses previously warranted work crew sentences are now most commonly referred to diversion programs, community justice centers, or receive probation.