A Vermont Supreme Court commission is organizing a series of public forums to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the state’s judiciary system.
It plans to hold meetings in all 14 counties, with the first taking place in Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.Â
The Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, co-chaired by Chief Justice Paul Reiber and Associate Justice Nancy Waples, is made up of 14 individuals across three committees. It was created earlier this year to address disparities in the justice system.Â
Waples, the first person of color to be appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court, said the goal of the public forums is to take the “pulse of the community in terms of how they feel that we as the judiciary are doing our work” and “serving justice” in a way that doesn’t have a disproportionate impact on people of color. She said she believes that the “most critical aspect” of the commission’s work will take place through its community engagement committee.
“This work is vital to the health of our justice system, and all can play a part in improving it,” Reiber said in an op-ed in November.
Racial disparities in the judicial system continue to be a problem in Vermont, one of the whitest states in the nation. According to a study published by the Council of State Governments in April 2022, Black people were six times more likely to be in Vermont’s sentenced incarcerated population than white people in fiscal year 2019. They were over 14 times more likely to be defendants in a felony case between 2014 and 2019.
James Lyall, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, wrote in an email to VTDigger that he “applaud(s) and encourage(s)” the plan for public forums but remains concerned by the inequity in Vermont’s legal system. In particular, he said, the policies and practices of Vermont police and prosecutors have been shown “year after year to disproportionately target people of color.”
Lyall said he hopes that the forums will encourage more law enforcement leaders to acknowledge the racial disparities in Vermont’s legal system and “embrace bolder and more effective solutions.”
Waples said she recognizes that racial disparities within Vermont’s legal system are “a significant issue” and “of concern to the judiciary,” which is why the creation of the commission is important.
Scott Griffith, chief of planning and court services for the judiciary, said that the public forums will be made as “accessible” and “inclusive as possible.”
The first public forum is only in-person, but there will be opportunities to join future meetings virtually at some point in January, he said, adding, “We want anyone who wishes to communicate with us to have that opportunity.”
“We can’t be smart and honest with ourselves as court leaders without understanding what the reality is in terms of the experience that people have when they contact the justice system,” Griffith said.