403. Powers and responsibilities of the Commissioner regarding parole
The Commissioner is charged with the following powers and responsibilities regarding the administration of parole:
(1) To supervise and control persons placed on parole, subject to the rules and orders of the Parole Board as to the conditions of parole. The Commissioner may use electronic monitoring equipment such as global position monitoring, automated voice recognition telephone equipment, and transdermal alcohol monitoring equipment to enable more effective or efficient supervision of individuals placed on parole. Transdermal alcohol monitoring equipment shall be used for such purposes as discouraging persons whose licenses have been suspended for DUI from operating motor vehicles on Vermont highways;
(2) To detain for safekeeping at a correctional facility any parolee who allegedly has violated the terms of his or her parole, pending a conference with the Parole Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting, such period of detention not to exceed 30 days;
(3) To establish and provide as he or she deems necessary outpatient counseling and treatment services to persons paroled from, or on pre-parole release or conditional release from, confinement within the Department and, in his or her discretion, to require payment of reasonable fees for such services, if the person is financially able to make the payment;
(4) To establish and maintain a register of individuals who ask to be notified of the parole interview or review of an inmate by the Parole Board. The register shall constitute a confidential record that shall only be disclosed to persons within the Department specifically designated by the Commissioner;
(5) To provide written notification of the date, time, and place of a parole interview or review of an inmate by the Parole Board to an individual who asks to be notified of the parole interview or review. At least 30 days prior to the date of the interview or review, the notice shall be sent by first class mail, or by another most appropriate method, to the last address provided to the Department by the individual. A copy of the notice shall be provided to the Parole Board prior to the interview or review. Failure of the Department to provide the notice or provide it in a timely manner shall not affect the validity of proceedings conducted by the Parole Board.
(6) To provide regular training for the Parole Board, at least annually, in collaboration with the Parole Board Director and the Chair of the Parole Board, on topics related to criminogenic behavior, mental health disorders, substance use treatment, trauma-informed work with victims of crime, and serious crime rehabilitation.
Added 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; amended 1997, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 56, eff. April 29, 1998; 2007, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2025, No. 111 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.
