Joyce Talley, Bureau Chief

Ed Synoski, Deputy Bureau Chief

MISSION

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Improve department-wide budgetary and fiscal leadership and management by promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Continue to develop the Delaware Automated Correctional System. This offender tracking system has as its primary objective to expand the department's ability to identify and track an individual under the supervision of the department regardless of whether the person is in a sentenced Level V institution or under supervision of the Community Corrections Level IV and below.
• Provide the most efficient, lowest cost of food services to the offender population while ensuring nutritional standards are being met.
• Ensure the most efficient and effective lowest cost delivery of medical/health care services to the offender population through a statewide health care contract; provide contract monitoring to ensure contract compliance and maintain National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) accreditation.
• Continue to upgrade physical plants by continuous maintenance and restoration, addressing deferred maintenance backlog and acquiring additional maintenance staff for existing and new facilities.

Contact Information

Bureau of Management Services
Department of Correction
Administration Building
245 McKee Road
Dover,    DE    19904
(302) 857-5255

This office is responsible for all aspects of managing the Information technology resources of the department that are shared on the Network Infrastructure. This distinction is made because there may still be pockets of technology working within the department that are stand alone and manage their own support. (e.g.) Inmate Education.

In April 2001 we deployed the Delaware Automated Correction System (DACS), This DACS system automates much of the data used to support the daily management of inmate populations under the various supervision and custody levels of the Department. It provides management teams and operational staff with access, in a real time operation, to all information maintained within the DACS system as well as interfaces with other Criminal Justices Agencies that supply critical information in support of DACS. (e.g.) DELJIS/CJIS; Mugshots from the State Police Mugshot Server; etc.

MIS is working with a contractual firm to maintain and enhance the automation of the departments business. Additionally, MIS is working to improve the compliment of technical staff required to support the advancing information technologies demanded to support today's business. We have major investments in infrastructure that must be maintained to get maximum lifetime utilization. We are partnered with the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) for many of our support needs. We share many common computing resources from the statewide network backbone that supports our local area networks, to the physical space at DTI that houses our DACS database server with DTI resourced 24X7 support. MIS has successfully implemented a help desk, which supports our entire department Monday through Friday during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We have approximately 1,300 PC's connected to our network that we provide daily service to.

ACTIVITIES

• Provide Information Technology system support for the entire Department of Correction.
• Maintain the Delaware Automated Corrections System (DACS) operations and enhancements.
• Operate an automated Network Management System and an automated infrastructure inventory control system statewide.
• Ensure the upgrade of information technology skill sets of the entire administrative bureau staff and continue to stress to all department management the need for all staff to possess basic technology skills.
• Initiate facility information technology planning. Consolidation of department-wide information technology plan to incorporate standards for software, replenishment of hardware infrastructure over time and training of staff.
• Ensure MIS staff development to support the new infrastructure.
• Provide continuous help desk services for the entire department.
• Provide automated reporting of DACS data, as needed by requestors.

This office is responsible for a variety of functions and operational responsibilities. Throughout the state, individuals working with and for the central business office handle everything from payroll processing, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing processes, federal grant projects as well as budget preparations. This office has a diverse group of individuals who are committed to ensuring accurate record keeping and error free documentation. With a focus on training and growth, this unit has committed itself to providing on-going training for personnel as well as informational training to new cadets joining the department. With the anticipation of a new payroll system for state employees, the business office was aggressive in ensuring all records were updated and automated. The development of an electronic time-sheet has helped to not only reduce data collection time but also to ensure that the pay cycle information stays within a two week lag period.

ACTIVITIES

• Provide information and training opportunities to the facility financial personnel regarding implementation of updates to the Delaware Financial Management System (DFMS) and accounting policies and procedures.
• Support the development of the annual budget on a department-wide level.
• Continue efforts to automate documentation and central business operations as appropriate.
• Perform audit functions throughout the year to ensure proper procedures are followed and accurate documentation is maintained.
• Maintain accurate and timely records and processing of payroll checks to approximately 2,700 employees.

This unit prepares over seven million meals annually and ensures proper and safe food handling by all employees. The expansions of the entire department increase the challenges of this food service operation. Food service employees continue to focus efforts on providing meals which meet state and federal requirements. Additionally, opportunities exist to enhance the training and development of the entire food service staff.

ACTIVITIES

• Prepare menus to meet Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA).
• Maintain sanitary kitchen facilities to meet American Correctional Association (ACA) standards.
• Maintain food supply inventory consistent with population needs.
• Enhance staff development.

The department contracts with a medical service provider to deliver health care services to the entire inmate population. The current six-year contract began in July 2002. The new contract focuses on performance based measures of success. Additionally, the Medical Review Committee provides oversight and monitoring of services provided by the vendor agency. A special interest is with the cost of health care on a statewide level.

ACTIVITIES

• Maintain comprehensive and consistent health care services through a statewide contract.
• Conduct monthly audits of screening and evaluation requirements to ensure compliance with contract and National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards.
• Conduct medical review meetings designed to identify issues and problems.
• Provide continuous staff training and development opportunities throughout the course of the health care contract.
• Ensure that inmates receive necessary supply of medication and information about community services upon release.

The Department also contracts with a vendor to provide substance abuse and treatment services to over 700 Level V (Key) offenders, 600 Level IV (Crest) offenders and 600 Level IV (Aftercare) participants. These efforts are monitored by the Medical Review Committee to ensure quality programming and continuity of care.

ACTIVITIES

A statewide contract provides the following under the oversight of the Medical Review Committee:

• Provide therapeutic community treatment programs to eligible inmates.
• Provide aftercare services to offenders who have participated in the therapeutic community model.
• Provide substance abuse education/treatment programs to eligible inmate population.
• Increase awareness of treatment programs to entire inmate population.

Over the past few years, the building area to be maintained by the Department has increased by more than 50%. This growth has involved increased and upgraded infrastructure at various facilities in addition to the new buildings. The physical systems of the facilities have become more complex and will require constant maintenance. Along with the normal daily duties of maintaining facilities, the list of deferred maintenance projects from the 1999 Facility Assessment need to be addressed. The most recent Master Plan is a reminder that the Department will need even more growth to match the anticipated population growth. Maintenance and construction oversight will play a major role in how this future growth is handled.

ACTIVITIES

• Coordinate the design of major and minor capital improvement projects with contracted firms.
• Monitor and maintain both minor capital improvement and major capital improvement projects.
• Monitor utility usage statewide and make recommendations to facilities.
• Provide oversight of inmate maintenance and special projects.
• Maintain buildings, physical systems, and grounds statewide.
• Oversee statewide service contracts (i.e., pest control, waste disposal, various preventive maintenance services, etc.)
• Provide training opportunities and career ladder programs for maintenance staff.
• Prepare annual department capital budget request.
• Prepare required submissions for Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control on department activities.
• Implement an Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the Department of Labor.

Central Supply serves as the Department of Correction's primary receiving and distribution center. Located on the grounds of the Delaware Correctional Center, Central Supply supports all Department of Correction facilities, institutions, and administrative offices in the state with supplies, food, equipment, and other materials necessary for the optimum operation of the DOC.

Staff
One Warehouse Supervisor, four CO/Storekeepers and one Account Technician form the backbone of an organization that orders, receives, processes, and delivers over 350 products to over 15 different locations statewide. To accomplish this task, the staff supervises a labor force of 15-20 inmates, logs over 30,000 miles over-the-road a year, are CDL qualified, are certified forklift operators, and are trained in safe food handling. In addition to being fully trained and qualified as Correctional Officers, the staff at Central Supply train and supervise the inmates in warehouse operations which includes handling hazardous chemicals, equipment operation, and inventory control procedures.

Facility
The Central Warehouse is approximately 9,000 square feet.  The space allows for the storage of all dry and canned goods, and refrigerated and frozen items. The warehouse features a recently renovated 3,648 sq ft freezer, three walk-in refrigerators (2,480 sq. ft.), and administrative support offices. The refrigerators and freezer store approximately 90,000 pounds of frozen foods including just over 900 cases of cheese and butter.  To give these numbers some perspective, the average household refrigerator has 24 cubic feet.  The Central Warehouse refrigerators and freezer total 88,856 cubic feet of storage capacity.  Foods and goods stored at the Central Warehouse are valued at over $350,000.  The warehouse opens for operation at 6:30 a.m. Up to 10 tractor-trailer trucks from 25 vendors deliver food and supplies every day into the central warehouse. Several trucks, operated by the DOC, ship the appropriate food and supplies out to various facilities and offices every day.  Every week, the DOC ships out food items valued at $65,000 and supplies valued at $20,000 to the various institutions, facilities, and offices across Delaware.  Everything from band-aids to bananas passes through the warehouse on its way to the DOC customer.

Mission
Central Supply supports the Department of Correction with materials, management, and the logistical support to distribute food and supplies wherever needed.

 The State of Delaware, Department of Correction Purchasing Office manages certain contracts unique to the Department.  For more information click here.