Settlement requires interpretation services, lawyer access; no monetary sum
The Vermont Department of Corrections has agreed to provide federal immigration detainees held in state prisons with improved access to language interpretation, legal counsel and court hearings, under a settlement announced Tuesday with the Vermont Human Rights Commission. The agreement resolves a discrimination complaint the commission filed in January.
The Vermont Human Rights Commission filed the complaint in January, alleging discrimination against federal immigration detainees in Vermont’s prisons. Immigration lawyers had previously raised similar concerns, saying the Corrections Department restricted their ability to meet with federal detainees. The lawyers also said non-English speakers lacked language interpretation in state prisons.
Under the settlement’s terms, the Corrections Department must ensure that immigration detainees receive interpretation services and regular access to immigration lawyers with the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project. The agreement does not include any monetary payment.
The settlement resolves the discrimination complaint before it’s brought to civil court, according to Lauri Fisher, general counsel for the department.