Delaware – Delaware lawmakers are considering a new bill that would make changes to the state’s current parole system. It would direct the courts and the Office of Community Corrections to use the least restrictive parole conditions to achieve adequate community supervision.
Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 has been in the works for a long time. It’s been three years of drafting, rewriting and compromises, but it’s finally ready to be seen in the Senate.
“You know, we pride ourselves on being the first state, and I think we need to embrace what that means, being the first to do things and being unique in the way we do them,” said Delaware State Senator Marie Pinkney , the senator from the state of Delaware. main sponsor of the bill. She said it’s time for Delaware to update its parole system.
“I get a lot of communication from people who are in prison, people on parole or their loved ones talking about the difficulties they have had with parole. (They feel) that probation has trapped them in a ‘gotcha’ kind of thing.”
In its current form, the bill focuses on ensuring that the additional conditions and programs that parolees must comply with are actually relevant:
rather than being superfluous or overly burdensome for the individual: “It focuses on ensuring that any additional conditions assigned to someone are related to their criminogenic needs…related to the crime they committed, or why they might have committed a crime.” crime”
The bill would also remove from Delaware code a provision that makes it difficult for someone on parole to obtain a marriage license. Senator Pinkney said his initial goal in this reform was much more ambitious, to try to limit reincarceration rates for those on parole. But some community stakeholders, such as domestic violence victims, feared this would put them in danger: “There were some who felt there wouldn’t be enough protection for victims if we couldn’t use reincarceration for parole violations. .”
After three years of conversations and compromises, Senator Pinkney believes this bill is a good start for parole reform, but she still feels there is work to do, saying, “We are definitely not done with parole.” . “We will continue to look at how we approach the use of reincarceration in the future.”
Along with the bill, there is also Concurrent Resolution 175, which would establish the Parole System Working Group, made up of legislators and other stakeholders, who would recommend additional reforms to the general assembly in July of next year.
In a statement to WMDT, the Delaware Department of Corrections said:
“Over the past year, the Delaware Department of Corrections has worked in good faith and in a collaborative spirit to actively engage with legislators seeking statutory changes to Delaware’s criminal justice and probation system. The DOC leadership team has engaged in numerous discussions with legislators to better understand the intent of the legislation, and we have provided detailed written responses to the initial language and each revision of the proposed legislation that highlight intended (and unintended) impacts, they say. Provisions. that DOC supports and identify opportunities to conduct more data-driven analysis. DOC continues to engage in this dialogue, framed by a deep commitment to our dual mission of protecting the public and promoting successful reentry through safe facilities, effective supervision, and rehabilitative services.
At this time, DOC is carefully reviewing Senate Substitute 3 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 175, which were introduced yesterday. We will be able to provide comments and feedback when the review is complete.”
Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 is currently out of committee and on the list ready for consideration.
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