Sentencing Reform
SURJ refocused the support we assembled for our original reform bill, HB 35, toward a compromise agreement between the Sentencing Accountability Commission, the Attorney General, and SURJ, which became HB 210.  The compromise included tightening sentences for violent crimes while giving judges more discretion for non-violent offenses.  It will result in a net savings of 300 prison beds annually. 

The passage of HB 210 marks the first time in memory that the Delaware General Assembly has voted to make major changes in how prison capacity is used for non-violent motor vehicle and drug offenders.  Key provisions of the bill, now law, include:

• Mandatory minimum sentence for possession with intent to deliver (second offense) reduced from fifteen years to three years, except for heroin which is five years; no longer will repeat possession misdemeanor/felony convictions trigger these enhanced penalties
• Mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking in illegal drugs reduced from three years to two years (first weight level), five years to four years (second weight level), and fifteen years to eight years (third weight level), excepting heroin
• Trafficking limit for cocaine raised from five grams to ten grams, so it is now more in line with the trafficking levels of other drugs
• The last six months of drug sentences may be served at Level IV, work release, or home confinement to help ensure that treatment will be continued as offenders prepare to reintegrate into their communities

Sentencing alternatives that permit the Department of Correction to use electronic monitoring for motor vehicle violators will save another 150 beds annually

Reentry
The successful reentry of ex-offenders back into the community has been a focus of increasing attention by SURJ over the past year.  Highlights of our reentry initiatives include:

• SURJ field placement of University of Pennsylvania MSW research student, who worked on Delaware reentry issues and authored a survey report on programs and capacity of non-profit reentry agencies in Delaware;
• Advocating on behalf of Delaware reentry agencies at the Department of Correction budget hearings before the Joint Finance Committee;
• Successfully promoting a major News Journal article about reentry in Delaware;
• Co-sponsoring a Visions of Justice forum on reentry featuring national expert Todd Clear, Distinguished Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice;
• Organized with the Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ) a “workshop” opportunity for Delaware officials and agencies to meet with Jeremy Travis, chair of the Urban Institute’s Reentry Roundtable, to discuss reentry in Delaware;
• Visited New Jersey Reentry Roundtable with DCJ to determine feasibility for Delaware;
• SURJ executive director appointed to State’s reentry grant advisory committee.
  

Treatment
SURJ’s newly formed Treatment Working Group is leading our exploration of substance abuse treatment as a more effective and less costly alternative to prison. With the support of a summer research assistant and the executive director, the group developed research briefs on treatment in Delaware, which SURJ will use to fuel its 2004 legislative agenda.

Membership/Education
The hiring of a deputy director in June has allowed SURJ to further expand, organize and educate our membership.  The deputy director has overhauled the website and database, improving the quality of the office’s communication with members.  Meanwhile, our statewide membership committee, with the support of our office, has worked to establish SURJ county and district chairs throughout the state.

Other SURJ membership-related accomplishments:

• Membership increased to 2,290, including representation from across Delaware
• Member feedback gathered through recent survey to help staff and officers better cater to the grassroots base of our organization
• Fall Membership convention held Dover
• Visions of Justice forum co-sponsored with Delaware Center for Justice
  

Maturing of SURJ as an Organization
SURJ has matured significantly as an organization over the past year.  We now have a Policy Committee, chaired by Marlene Lichtenstadter, which acts as an editorial board for recommendations and research briefs forwarded by its subcommittees.  The Policy Committee is the engine behind SURJ’s fact-based, non-partisan advocacy.

The Policy Committee reports to the Board of Directors.  Its subcommittees include:

• Adult Corrections Subcommittee, chaired by Judy Mellen and Hugh Wallace.  Assists the policy committee with issues and research concerning adults in Delaware’s correction system.
• Legal Team, chaired by Carl Schnee.  Includes a half-dozen attorneys who draft, review and research legislation on SURJ’s behalf.
• Working Group on Treatment, chaired by Russel Buskirk and Rita Morocco.

SURJ also has development and membership committees. 

The Development Committee is chaired by Victor F. Battaglia, Sr and Edmund N. Carpenter, II.  It is responsible for raising and overseeing funds to carry out SURJ's operation

The Membership Committee is chaired by Shirley Seibert and Dr. William DeLauder.  It works with our county and district membership leaders to educate and expand SURJ’s membership.