2008-2010 AGENDA FOR ACTION

 Advancing Reform of the Criminal Justice System

Three key strategies drive SURJ’s 2008-2010 Agenda for Action, all of which, when implemented, will increase public safety and put public resources to better use, while ensuring a more just criminal justice system.

Action steps taken will bring about these benefits by:

·        Reducing pressure for prison expansion

·        Lowering recidivism

·        Providing non-violent people with substance abuse treatment rather than incarceration

STRATEGY ONE: REENTRY

Delaware should adopt a comprehensive plan to reduce return rates to prison, including the development of reentry plans, procedures, and services to facilitate the reintegration of released inmates into the community and relief from legal obstacles that impede reintegration.

1. Advocate for a comprehensive offender reentry system by pursuing the following:

·        The creation of a directory of services to be given to inmates as soon as they become incarcerated.

·        Educate the public about issues of reentry with positive images and statistics along with recognizing the good work of advocates.

·        Reframe the issue of ex-offender reentry to key policymakers and the Attorney General as vital to our community safety and public health, as well as a smart way to drastically improve the state's cost effectiveness and saving. 

2. Provide a leadership role in the effort to bring Delancey Street to Delaware. 

3. Participate in the Reentry Subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Council. 

STRATEGY TWO: CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY

Delaware should undertake an extensive review of sentencing policies and laws.  The review should include charging decisions, pre-trial detention, plea-bargaining practices, sentencing, corrections policies, institutional and community rehabilitation opportunities, and ex-offender reentry. 

1. Monitor all legislation for criminal justice related issues, take relevant positions and develop necessary legislation. Continue to monitor the implementation of House Bills 210 and 50, and Senate Bills 229 and 97. 

2. Continue partnership with DCJ in Visions of Justice public education programs; public education forums in partnership with the Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ). 

3. Create a Juvenile Justice Committee that will develop an agenda and action steps to be completed within a timeframe.  

4.  Monitor Activity of the Sentencing Accountability Commission, established to create a system that emphasizes accountability of the offender to the criminal justice system and accountability of the criminal justice system to the public. 

5. Seek repeal of mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws that unduly limit a judge’s discretion to individualize sentences so that the sentence in each case: (1) equitably reflects the gravity of the offense and the degree of culpability of the offender; and (2) includes an assessment of long-term public safety concerns. 

STRATEGY THREE: Conditions of Confinement

Delaware should develop and fund treatment programs for prison and community-based offenders that address education, vocational and job training, mental health and substance abuse. 

1. Establish a treatment committee that will develop an agenda and action steps to be completed within a timeframe.

2.  Urge the Department of Correction to develop a policy with respect to geriatric offenders, increasing discretion to release geriatric offenders consistent with public safety. 

3. Monitor the effectiveness of the inmate classification system.

4. Advocate for adoption of generally accepted professional standards in prisons.