The End Justice Fees Campaign celebrates Governor Phil Scott for signing H.635 into law. 

VERMONT – Late last month, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed H.635, a bill eliminating the Vermont Department of Corrections’ supervisory fees. Supervision fees are recurring fees charged to people on probation or parole. They place unnecessary and unfair financial strain on people working to secure housing, maintain employment, support their families, and rebuild stability after incarceration.

In response to the signing, Lillian Patil, Fines and Fees Justice Center’s (FFJC) Senior Analyst, State & Local Budgets, issued the following statement on behalf of FFJC:

“Maintaining justice system fines and fees is incredibly inefficient, often costing the government more than it ultimately collects. Testimony during hearings for H.635 made that reality clear, showing that Vermont’s cost to charge and enforce the supervision fee was greater than the revenue being brought in. Eliminating this fee is a win for all involved- for Vermont’s budget, for the employees who now can rededicate their freed up time to core public safety work, and for the people in the supervision system working hard to rebuild financial stability who will no longer be burdened by these fees.

“FFJC and the End Justice Fees campaign applauds Gov. Scott for signing this vital bill into law.”

Led by FFJC, End Justice Fees is the first national campaign dedicated to ending fees in the justice system and putting money back in the pockets of working families.

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