Vermont inmate search

No local jails or regional jail authorities are operated by counties or sheriffs here. Rather, 6 correctional facilities at sites around the state are run by the Vermont Department of Corrections. Among these 6 sites are regional facilities where people are held after an arrest.

Guessing which county sheriff has your family member isn't needed, since the state runs every facility. No matter where the arrest happened, you'll work with the same state agency. Finding someone only requires checking the state's records or calling a state facility.

In this state, you don't need to look through separate county lists. You can run a search on the statewide Vermont Department of Corrections public roster instead. To find someone in custody, look at that state roster or at the jail itself. Across all 6 facilities, the online list includes anyone now on the department's record.

Another option is the state's free victim notification network for checking custody status. Call the facility instead when an arrest is only a few hours old, since new booking records take time to show online.

It's the state agency known as the DOC that runs the Vermont Department of Corrections Offender Locator. Any person currently on the department's record can be looked up with this online tool.

In states with county jails, an arrest means checking a local roster, while sentencing means checking a prison list. With 6 regional and state facilities under the DOC, checking 2 different places isn't necessary. If someone in your family was just arrested or already sentenced, this same DOC search is the one you'll use.

For custody details and victim alerts, the DOC provides Vermont VINE, a free and confidential service. No other department notification service exists, and this one uses the Appriss Data Network. Online, you can look up an inmate's status and register for automatic updates.

If you want to talk to someone, call the toll free line at 866-976-8267 for 24/7 operator help. You can also visit the DOC Victim Services Unit page or call that office at 888-810-1847. Staff there can help you if you have questions about notifications.

13 V.S.A. Chapter 229, Bail and Recognizances, §§ 7551, 7553, 7553a, 7553b, and § 7554 set the release rules. 28 V.S.A. § 301 is part of them too. Most people must be released by judges on personal recognizance or an unsecured bond, except when release won't reasonably reduce flight risk. § 7551 limits bail at the initial appearance, and certain sealable offenses carry a $200 maximum. These are the choices courts use:

• A personal recognizance release
• An appearance bond that's unsecured
• Secured appearance bond, with a deposit capped at 10 percent
• Surety bond backed by sufficient solvent sureties
• A program of pretrial supervision
• A program of home detention
• Violent acts or crimes punishable by life imprisonment can lead to being held without bail

A surety bond means a bail bond agent promises to cover debt obligations. The premium is the nonrefundable percentage fee that goes to a bail agent, and you'll pay it. No statutory percentage rule for this fee is set by state law. The Vermont Judiciary bail bond agents list is where you can find approved agents.