Mortality Data and Related Policies, 2000-2020

COVID Prison Project filed this request with the Department of Corrections of Vermont.
Submitted May 19, 2021
Status
Completed

Communications

From: COVID Prison Project

Subject: Vermont Public Records Act Request: Mortality Data and Related Policies, 2000-2020

Email

Charles Remick
Records Officer
Vermont Department of Corrections
NOB 2 South, 280 State Drive
Waterbury VT 05671-2000

To Charles Remick:

Pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Law, §315 et seq., I hereby request the following records:

– Those which include time and date of all instances of death occurring in the offender population between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Those which indicate the total number of individuals in Vermont Department of Corrections (VDOC) custody who died by any cause, separated monthly, from January 2000 to December 2020.

– Monthly population records that include the total number of deaths occurring among people in the custody of the VDOC between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Final reports of death for all individuals in VDOC custody who died between January 2000 and December 2020.

Additionally, I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of any and all VDOC policies, regulations, and procedures, pertaining to...

– Investigations of in-custody deaths.

– Requirements for the performance of an autopsy or post-mortem medical examination of individuals who die while in VDOC custody.

– The reporting of in-custody deaths to other governmental agencies.

– Next-of-kin notification in the event of in-custody deaths.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. However, we respectfully request a waiver of these fees as we are affiliated with an educational or noncommercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose and not for a commercial use.

If you choose to deny this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

The law requires a response to this request within 2 days, or within 10 days for extraordinary circumstances. If you expect a significant delay in fulfilling this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

Forrest Behne
Policy Director, COVID Prison Project
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Office: (919) 391-7962
340 MacNider Hall | Campus Box 7240
333 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240

From: Department of Corrections

Subject: Public Records Request Follow Up

Email

Good morning Mr. Behne,

I apologize for the delay in response to your initial request from May 19th. There was a staff transition/retirement and your request was not forwarded to myself until yesterday afternoon.

Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 318(b)(5)(B), the Department is allowed ten business days from the date of your request to produce a response. I know that that time has passed since your initial request, but if you can please grant me an additional ten days from your forwarded request, I would greatly appreciate it. That would put the response time to June 24th; though I anticipate I can get the information to you before then.

Under the Vermont Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. §§ 315 et seq., there are charges permitted for the costs associated requests for copies of records. Once I have gathered the documents for your request, I will give you a cost estimate. The Department does not waive fees unless they are less than a total of $5.

I appreciate your understanding and patience.

Thank you,

Laura
Laura Carter
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Records and Information Management Specialist
Department of Corrections
NOB 2 South, 280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-2000
Phone: 802-241-0069
Cell: 802-904-3287

From: Department of Corrections

Subject: RE: Vermont Public Records Act Request: Mortality Data and Related Policies, 2000-2020

Email

Hi Mr. Behne,

I am still working through your request. Some of the information you requested needs to be redacted.

I appreciate your patience.

Thank you,
Laura
Laura Carter
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Records and Information Management Specialist
Department of Corrections
NOB 2 South, 280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-2000
Phone: 802-241-0069
Cell: 802-904-3287

From: Department of Corrections

Subject: Forrest Behne Public Records Request #41492

Email

Good Afternoon Mr. Behne,

Please find attached a report that indicates the deceased inmate population separated by site location and date, as well as the procedure for inmate deaths. The link to our Inmate Death Directive is here: 353_Death_Response_and_Review_6-10-2021.pdf (vermont.gov)<https://doc.vermont.gov/sites/correct/files/documents/353_Death_Response_and_Review_6-10-2021.pdf>

Some of the information you requested is exempt from public inspection. I have included those below with the related citations.

- Investigations of in-custody deaths.

- Requirements for the performance of an autopsy or post-mortem medical examination of individuals who die while in VDOC custody.

The above information you requested is exempt from public inspection as it follows the peer reviewed process. The peer reviewed process is protected under 26 V.S.A § 1441-1443.

Thank you,

Laura
Laura Carter
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Records and Information Management Specialist
Department of Corrections
NOB 2 South, 280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-2000
Phone: 802-241-0069
Cell: 802-904-3287

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