Vermont has been tapped to join a national criminal justice reform effort.
Republican Governor Phil Scott announced in a news release that Vermont will start work to transition Vermont's public safety policy to an evidence and data-driven approach as part of the National Criminal Justice Reform Project.
Scott said reforms can create a fairer criminal justice system and save tax money by keeping people out of jail. Vermont is one of five states that have been picked.
Some of the policies Vermont officials will try are new youth support methods. Therapy and family-based treatment can help curb aggression and anti-social behavior, lowering the chances kids will commit crimes when they are older.
Vermont officials will work on the project for up to five years. They start this week.
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