Black People 6 Times More Likely to Be Jailed Than Whites in Vermont

According to the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments, despite making up only 1.4 percent of the population, Black people in Vermont were six times more likely to be jailed than white people in 2019, reports VTDigger. Among the Justice Center’s key findings was that Black people were seven times as likely as white people to be charged in a case with a person listed as a victim. Black people were also 14 times as likely to be charged in felony drug cases, with those who were sent to prison on felony drug cases often being charged with cocaine sale or possession. White people, on the other hand, often were charged with heroin sale or possession.

The Justice Center made several policy recommendations, including reclassifying lower-to-mid-level felony drug possession into misdemeanor offenses. In response to these findings, Chief Justice Paul Reiber of the Vermont Supreme Court said the Supreme Court is planning to create a commission on racial justice for the state judiciary. The group would examine issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. It would report on problems it identifies so that the court can take action.