Update - December 25, 2021:
I spoke to a supervisor at NSCF Newport today ... The facility has been experiencing a number of different COVID outbreaks in the past 2 years; sometimes, it is on lockdown for inmates, sometimes it is not permitting visitors ... These shutdowns and lockdowns have occurred frequently, sometimes for short duration, and sometimes for many, many weeks...
Based on the need for me to be able to enter NSCF Newport on three occasions - to interview the inmate, to interview the couple together (see below), and to officiate the ceremony - these are not going to happen at any time when there is a COVID lockdown ...
Additionally, my family has made it very clear that they are opposed me entering NCSF Newport while there are still outbreaks occurring, and I must honor their point of view (as any risk to me becomes a risk to them as well)...
While these outbreaks and lockdowns are occurring, please look over the policy statement below, especially 1) & 2) (as these are my first consideration in even being able to attest in writing to the Commissioner as to the inmate's suitability for marriage (see below)).
~ Stephen
I spoke to a supervisor at NSCF Newport today ... The facility has been experiencing a number of different COVID outbreaks in the past 2 years; sometimes, it is on lockdown for inmates, sometimes it is not permitting visitors ... These shutdowns and lockdowns have occurred frequently, sometimes for short duration, and sometimes for many, many weeks...
Based on the need for me to be able to enter NSCF Newport on three occasions - to interview the inmate, to interview the couple together (see below), and to officiate the ceremony - these are not going to happen at any time when there is a COVID lockdown ...
Additionally, my family has made it very clear that they are opposed me entering NCSF Newport while there are still outbreaks occurring, and I must honor their point of view (as any risk to me becomes a risk to them as well)...
While these outbreaks and lockdowns are occurring, please look over the policy statement below, especially 1) & 2) (as these are my first consideration in even being able to attest in writing to the Commissioner as to the inmate's suitability for marriage (see below)).
~ Stephen
Marriages at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport
- In order to marry a prisoner incarcerated in Vermont, the officiant must conduct an interview with each party individually, and the both together - 3 interviews in all. Then, the officiant must prepare a report on the suitability of the prisoner to be married, which is to be evaluated by the Commissioner of Corrections. The Commissioner then has the absolute authority to approve or to deny the application.
- This process may take from 4-6 weeks, and it may take longer. The biggest time delays occur because of scheduling the interviews, and getting the final report back from the Commissioner's Office.
~ I have been contacted many times about officiating a wedding at Northern State Correctional Facility, and have begun the process many times. I have never seen the process completed, however, due to the inmate being transferred, one party or the other changing their mind, an unsuccessful interview, or a denial from the Commissioner.
- This process may take from 4-6 weeks, and it may take longer. The biggest time delays occur because of scheduling the interviews, and getting the final report back from the Commissioner's Office.
~ I have been contacted many times about officiating a wedding at Northern State Correctional Facility, and have begun the process many times. I have never seen the process completed, however, due to the inmate being transferred, one party or the other changing their mind, an unsuccessful interview, or a denial from the Commissioner.
My policy for officiating a wedding involving an incarcerated prisoner in Vermont is as follows:
1) I will not recommend or attest to the suitability of the inmate for marriage when the person is incarcerated for* an act of violence, physical/domestic/spousal abuse, sexual abuse, drug sales (including 'distribution', 'trafficking' or 'aid in commission'), or for any crimes against children**.
(*This applies whether the inmate was convicted or pled to these charges or to a lesser offence based on these underlying acts)
(**These include, but are not limited to, VSA Title 13 Chpts 13, 15, 27, 28, 37, 39, 53, 55, 56, 59, 60, 61, 64, 71)
2) I will not recommend or attest to the suitability of the inmate and couple for marriage where there was no long-standing relationship between the two parties prior to the incarceration (such as 'prison pen-pals'). I will not recommend or attest to the suitability of the inmate and couple for marriage when they have not had any prior and sustained relationship other than by controlled visitation or electronic means (video/telephone/internet) while incarcerated.
3) My recommendation to the Commissioner is completely at my personal discretion. While it will be fact-based, it requires no further justification or evidence than those stated facts.
4) My typical fee for any private wedding in Newport is $100.
My typical fee for any single prenuptial meeting in Newport is $50.
~ Accordingly, my combined fee for a wedding at NSCF is $250 ($50 for each required meeting, plus $100 for the actual ceremony). There is no additional fee for my report to the Commissioner, or for processing the completed marriage license once the wedding is celebrated.
~ Like all weddings I schedule and officiate, I require a 50% deposit (=$125), to be received prior to the interviews. This deposit is non-refundable, regardless of whether the inmate is transferred, either party changes their mind, the outcome of my interviews, or the final disposition by the Commissioner.
~ Upon completion of the interviews, I will inform the person who contacted me and arranged for my services whether I will recommend this marriage to the Commissioner.
> If I am not willing to make this recommendation, the final $125 will be waived.
> If I am willing to make this recommendation, I will collect the balance of my fee ($125, cash or money order) and the marriage license from the person who arranged for my services upon their arrival at NSCF for the wedding. Do NOT Mail Either One - I will NOT be responsible for a marriage license or a final payment that was 'in the mail' but not received.
~ In the event that the marriage does not take place on the agreed-upon date and time, through no fault of mine, an additional charge of $50 will be made to re-schedule the date (ie: $175 balance due rather than $125).
5) I am not responsible for any actions or decisions taken by the Department of Corrections.
(*This applies whether the inmate was convicted or pled to these charges or to a lesser offence based on these underlying acts)
(**These include, but are not limited to, VSA Title 13 Chpts 13, 15, 27, 28, 37, 39, 53, 55, 56, 59, 60, 61, 64, 71)
2) I will not recommend or attest to the suitability of the inmate and couple for marriage where there was no long-standing relationship between the two parties prior to the incarceration (such as 'prison pen-pals'). I will not recommend or attest to the suitability of the inmate and couple for marriage when they have not had any prior and sustained relationship other than by controlled visitation or electronic means (video/telephone/internet) while incarcerated.
3) My recommendation to the Commissioner is completely at my personal discretion. While it will be fact-based, it requires no further justification or evidence than those stated facts.
4) My typical fee for any private wedding in Newport is $100.
My typical fee for any single prenuptial meeting in Newport is $50.
~ Accordingly, my combined fee for a wedding at NSCF is $250 ($50 for each required meeting, plus $100 for the actual ceremony). There is no additional fee for my report to the Commissioner, or for processing the completed marriage license once the wedding is celebrated.
~ Like all weddings I schedule and officiate, I require a 50% deposit (=$125), to be received prior to the interviews. This deposit is non-refundable, regardless of whether the inmate is transferred, either party changes their mind, the outcome of my interviews, or the final disposition by the Commissioner.
~ Upon completion of the interviews, I will inform the person who contacted me and arranged for my services whether I will recommend this marriage to the Commissioner.
> If I am not willing to make this recommendation, the final $125 will be waived.
> If I am willing to make this recommendation, I will collect the balance of my fee ($125, cash or money order) and the marriage license from the person who arranged for my services upon their arrival at NSCF for the wedding. Do NOT Mail Either One - I will NOT be responsible for a marriage license or a final payment that was 'in the mail' but not received.
~ In the event that the marriage does not take place on the agreed-upon date and time, through no fault of mine, an additional charge of $50 will be made to re-schedule the date (ie: $175 balance due rather than $125).
5) I am not responsible for any actions or decisions taken by the Department of Corrections.
If we have discussed these points (via phone or email),
and have reached a verbal agreement or email agreement,
and you are in agreement with these terms*, please
1) print out this THIS FORM 2) sign*, print your name, and write the date at the bottom, and
3) mail it along with your deposit check or money order to
Stephen Laurie JP, 14 Birch Lane, Newport VT 05855
(*Your signature indicates that you are in agreement with each of these terms, particularly point 3,
and will not dispute any of these points at a later date.)
and have reached a verbal agreement or email agreement,
and you are in agreement with these terms*, please
1) print out this THIS FORM 2) sign*, print your name, and write the date at the bottom, and
3) mail it along with your deposit check or money order to
Stephen Laurie JP, 14 Birch Lane, Newport VT 05855
(*Your signature indicates that you are in agreement with each of these terms, particularly point 3,
and will not dispute any of these points at a later date.)
