Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today launched its new Vision, Mission, Values statements proclaiming Department philosophy and direction. The new Vision, Mission, Values statements were enacted into Department policy this week. The new statements are included below.
“Corrections best practices are not what they were twenty, ten, or even five years ago” said Nicholas J. Deml, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections. “The world has changed: we live in a new time; we face new realities. Our Vision, Mission, Values statements embrace the imperative to stay up-to-date with our times and envision the future of our work. Importantly, our new Vision, Mission, Values statements declare our commitment to our staff and their wellness, professional development, and career advancement; define our commitment to equity and removing barriers to success; and demonstrate our important role in supporting safer communities. These statements are essential to the culture of our organization and the direction in which we will go from here.”
The Department will be going on a statewide tour throughout the month of April to launch the Vision, Mission, Values statements at all correctional facilities and probation and parole offices in Vermont.
Vision:
We create safety and equity by seeing potential, supporting change, and serving communities.
Mission:
We lead through innovation.
We support staff wellness.
We create rewarding career opportunities.
We ensure our facilities and field offices are safe, secure, and healthy.
We provide justice-involved individuals with opportunities for self-improvement.
We cultivate meaningful partnerships.
We advance restorative justice practices.
Values:
Accountability: We, individually and collectively, act in accordance with our mission and values in service to our vision.
Collaboration: We succeed when we have diverse and equitable partnerships that include our communities and the people in our care and custody.
Compassion: We treat everyone with respect and dignity and respond empathetically to people's lived experience.
Equity: We address systemic barriers that hinder opportunity and use fair and impartial decision-making.
Innovation: We use evolving research from diverse communities to identify, develop, and implement effective practices.
Integrity: We practice our values in an honest and transparent way.
Safety: We create an equitable culture of physical, emotional, and material wholeness.