When someone gets out of prison, it can be tough to find an appropriate place to live. That’s where the state’s system of transitional housing comes into play. In Vermont, there are about 25 community programs running transitional housing for recently released offenders. In most states, corrections departments operate halfway houses. Vermont’s approach focuses only on community programs.
One of them is Dismas of Vermont. The nonprofit organization has homes in Burlington, Winooski, and Rutland.
Rita Whalen McCaffrey is the founder and executive director of Dismas of Vemront. Andy Pallito is the state’s corrections department commissioner.
They spoke with VPR’s Jane Lindholm about transitional housing after prison.