BUREAU OF PRISONS

	Rick Kearney, Bureau Chief

MISSION

The mission of the Bureau of Prisons is to provide overall administrative support for Delaware's five state prisons.  These correctional facilities provide sanctions for sentenced offenders and pre-trial detention services for offenders awaiting disposition of criminal charges.  The five facilities housing inmates sentenced to Level V sanctions provide:

 + Protection for the public through incarceration of the offender.

 + Protection for the public through rehabilitation of the offender to prevent future crime.

 + A safe and humane living environment for the incarcerated offender.

 + A safe and appropriate working environment for staff.

 + A range of correctional programs necessary to meet the needs of both society and the individual while implementing court-ordered sanctions in the least restrictive environment consistent with public safety.

Delaware's Five correctional institutions are: 

Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution (BWCI)
Delaware Correctional Center (DCC)
Howard R.Young Correctional Institution (HRYCI)
Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI)*
John L. Webb Correctional Facility (WCF)

* The Sussex Boot Camp is located on the grounds of the Sussex Correctional Institution

BACKGROUND

Delaware has five adult correctional facilities.  The Baylor Women's Correctional Institution is Delaware's only female correctional facility.  The Delaware Correctional Center, the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution and the Sussex Correctional Institution provide incarceration at all security levels to male populations (HRYCI accommodates a small juvenile population in the Young Criminal Offenders Program-YCOP).  The John L. Webb Correctional Facility is a minimum-security male facility.

Delaware Department of Correction facilities have a design capacity of 6,469 and a temporary maximum capacity of 7,005.  The average daily population is approximately 6,500 (as of Dec. 1, 2001).  Currently, the Department of Correction experiences approximately 20,000 admissions and 20,000 releases a year.

The following figures offer a snapshot of the lengths of stay for the categories of offenders in detention (pre-trial) status, jail sentences (less than a year), prison sentences (more than one year), Life & Death sentences:  (these statistics reflect the categories as analyzed on a single day.)

LENGTH OF STAY 

 

The above information illustrates the significant movement within Delaware's prison population.  Statistics also reveal that  approximately 97% of all inmates in Delaware will be released, mirroring national statistics.   As significant numbers of offenders will be released back to society, it is important to rehabilitate, as well as, incarcerate. Historically the BOP has focused much attention on tight security of prisons i.e. preventing escapes, serious incidents, reducing assaults, etc. These functions fall under the broad umbrella of incarcerating offenders--and are still a top priority of the Bureau of Prisons. To truly protect the public, the BOP must also address the offenders--individual needs during incarceration to increase the chance they will succeed once released to the community. Programming (including substance abuse treatment, education, vocational training, religious practice, and work opportunities)  increases the likelihood that offenders will become successful and contributing members of society once released from incarceration.

Facts & Figures: In Fiscal Year 2002 (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002), the Bureau of Prisons received and released over 33,592 detentioners.  There were 10,166 sentenced admissions, 9778 transfers within the system and 12,013 sentenced releases.  There were no prison escapes. (There has not been a prison escape since 1995.) 

Prison Construction: In calendar year 2001, the Bureau of Prisons completed the largest prison construction project in Delaware';s history. It was a 4-year, $180 million expansion. Project highlights: opened State';s first Boot Camp (100 beds) in April 1997; between April 1997 and April 2000, 760 beds were added to the Sussex Correctional Institution (including the 100 Boot Camp beds); in December 2000, a 900-bed maximum-security addition at the Delaware Correctional Center was completed; two Violation of Probation Centers, each with 250 beds, opened; and approximately 300 beds were added to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution prison. In all, 2,500 beds were added to the system.

Security Enhancements: The Bureau of Prisons continues to upgrade security and Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) operations. There are twenty-eight K-9 teams assigned to various correctional facilities. Work continues with the National Guard to maximize the use of their IonScan equipment. The IonScan detects the presence of illegal substances at the molecular level. Additionally, the Bureau of Prisons randomly tests employees and offenders for drugs. The result has been a reduction in all forms of illegal contraband, including drugs. 

Correctional Officers are the first line of defense in the Department's mission to ensure public safety. No longer can Correctional Officers be called prison guards. The term prison guard does not adequately reflect the duties and responsibilities of today's Correctional Officer. Before becoming Officers, individuals attend eight weeks of training at the DOC Staff Training Academy. They receive hands-on, physical and classroom training in several areas including weapons, defensive tactics, report writing, substance abuse training and inter-personal communication. On the job, Correctional Officers do much more than "guard" offenders. Officers must notice changes in offender behavior (behavior changes can indicate contemplating suicide or an escape attempt).  They must be able to administer basic first aid, make suggestions on programming needs, and help to identify offender emotional problems. New employees enter the security force as Correctional Officers. Ranks above include Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Staff Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Deputy Warden and Warden. Correctional Officers put their lives on the line 24 hours a day, seven days a week  for public safety. Delaware Correctional Officers have full police powers as defined by the Delaware Code whether supervising offenders at any place within the State, while going to or returning from such duty, and while searching for escaped offenders. Officers are equipped with handcuffs, pepper spray, a flashlight and CPR mask. Standard issue personal security equipment for correctional staff now includes bullet and stab-proof vests.       

Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT): These operations fall under the auspices of the Bureau of Prisons. The mission of the CERT Unit is to ensure public safety, as well as, the safety of department staff and offenders through a joint partnership with and cooperation from all BOP institutions. CERT develops and implements security programs for institutions based on the individual needs. CERT trains and develops selected groups of staff to perform advanced, high-risk, or community operations. CERT acts as technical advisors to Wardens and provides tactical responses during emergency situations. CERT also assists with escapee/erroneous release operations. 

Quick Response Teams (QRT) provide institutions with a first response capability that can quickly quell a disturbance. Early responses can reduce the possibility of staff/offender injuries. CERT can be called to support operations initiated by the QRT. 

Escapee Recovery Teams (ERTs) provide the Bureau of Prisons with personnel trained to manage and complete escapee - erroneous release recovery operations within the community.

K-9 Unit: These 28 units provide the Bureau of Prisons with enhanced institutional security and a drug interdiction capability. Units provide a selection and training component, on-going proficiency training, narcotic drug detection, offender disturbance control, perimeter security, evidence collection, escapee apprehension and crowd control. K-9 teams must complete 14 weeks (560 hours) of basic training. Training includes canine obedience, criminal apprehension, tracking, area search, article search, building search, agility, K9 health care and first aid. At the completion of training, teams are certified at the Police Dog I standard under guidelines established by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). To maintain certification, K9 teams must complete eight hours of proficiency training every month (96 hours annually).

Mobile Command Post: The Mobile Command Post supports management of escape, hostage and riot situations in both prison and community operations, maintains multiple communication capabilities, provides officers on-board computers with access to law enforcement networks, and mapping. Trained staff supports all CERT operations from the Mobile Command Post. 

Video/teleconferencing equipment usage continues to expand. Video-conferencing allows an offender to take part in a court proceeding without having to leave the secured confines of a correctional facility.  The offender's attorney can either be present at the correctional facility or in the courtroom. The offender can see and hear the proceedings through a television monitor. Likewise, the court can see and hear communications from the facility. The use of video-conferencing reduces court and transportation costs while increasing public safety. Increasing the use of video-conferencing means fewer offenders are leaving the correctional facility. In Fiscal Year 2002 (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002) 21,934 video-conferencing sessions were conducted versus 21,468 sessions for the previous fiscal year. This increase of 466 sessions represents a 2% increase in activity. 24% were conducted with the Delaware Public Defender's Office and other non-court entities. 76% (16,579 sessions) were conducted with the Delaware courts. This level of court activity represents an increase of 4% (658 sessions) when compared to Fiscal Year 2001. The Delaware Department of Correction has worked to establish teleconferencing capabilities with other jurisdictions. In August 2000, the Commissioner of Correction signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States District Court to establish video conferencing capabilities in compliance with amendment to Title 42, USC, Section 1997(e). Additionally, video conferencing was also utilized between the Delaware DOC and a Pennsylvania court in a felony case.

The Court and Transportation Unit: The Delaware Department of Correction manages an offender transportation unit. This Unit is responsible for the transportation of all DOC offenders to court appearances and for the transfer of offenders from one facility to another. C&T transported 37,823 offenders in Fiscal Year 2002 (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002). This is a 7% increase (2,438 offenders) over transports made in Fiscal year 2001. 

Young Criminal Offenders Program-(YCOP): This housing unit/program accommodates a juvenile male population between ages 15-18. It is located at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. YCOP was opened to manage the state';s most difficult juvenile offenders. These youths are either found non-amenable in Delaware Family Court or are sentenced by Delaware Superior Court to the adult system for serious offenses. YCOP has capacity for 40. The YCOP housing unit is segregated from the adult male population at MPCJF. YCOP is a therapeutic community--that is--it seeks to change behaviors through structured programming. Programs including substance abuse treatment, anger management, alternatives to violence, youth leadership, public speaking and parenting. Education is mandatory for juveniles without a high school diploma. Offenders attend classes five days a week. Young offenders with a GED are encouraged to earn their high school diploma. Other activities include Prison Arts, religious worship, and outdoor recreation. YCOP offenders are permitted weekly visits, daily phone calls, and visits to the commissary. 

Programming: It is the belief of the Delaware Department of Correction that rehabilitation must occur during an inmate's period of incarceration. As 97% of all Delaware inmates will eventually be released from incarceration, it is vital we do something with each offender while entrusted to our care. The likelihood that an offender will succeed upon release increases with each program participation. Programming includes substance abuse treatment, education, vocational training and work opportunities. Every Delaware correctional facility offers an extensive array of programming. Education programs include adult basic education, the James H. Groves High School, GED and Life Skills. Vocational programs include training in the following areas: clinical nursing assistant, computer training, custodial maintenance, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, residential electric, blueprint reading, drafting, vocational rehabilitation, farming and the arts. Treatment programs include KEY/Crest/Aftercare, 12 Steps, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous. Dozens of self-improvement programs are offered including victim sensitivity, public speaking, leadership, goal setting, mentoring, parenting, and self-esteem.

Contact Information

Bureau of Prisons
Department of Correction
Administration Building
245 McKee Road
Dover,   DE    19904
(302) 857-5221

Last Updated: Thursday, 15-Nov-2007 11:43:14 EST