Delaware
Delaware Day of Action with REFORM Alliance Highlights Reentry Supports, System Change – State of Delaware News
WILMINGTON, Del. — Community and state leaders highlighted the need for robust reentry supports to help returning citizens thrive during the first Delaware Day of Action, a special convening for criminal justice advocates and policymakers.
Hosted by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Darius Brown and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown in partnership with REFORM Alliance, the Delaware Day of Action brought together organizations, community leaders, and advocates to discuss systemic change efforts in the First State and how to turn hope into action. Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, REFORM’s Chief Marketing Officer, was a featured guest, sharing his personal story of redemption and how he is making a difference one connection at a time. Wallo grew up in Philadelphia where he cycled in and out of the juvenile justice system before being sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Upon his release, he built a social media platform that reaches tens of millions of people with inspiration, humor, and hard-earned lessons that inspire people across the world to step into their greatness and discover their purpose.
“For our justice-impacted Delawareans, the cards are often stacked against them. I can say anecdotally that 80% of the people who come before me at the Board of Pardons have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Without the proper wraparound services, community support, and government policies in place, coming home can be a one-way trip back to court or worse,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, chair of the Board of Pardons. In that role, she has worked to streamline the commutation and pardons process and advocate for trauma-informed approaches in the justice system.
“That’s why we need convenings like the Delaware Day of Action. Today, we heard from Delawareans with lived experience, community leaders, experts in our legal system and corrections and public safety sector. These experiences matter and make our state stronger. I want to thank Senator Brown, House Majority Leader Minor-Brown, Rep. Cooke, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and Wallo267 and the REFORM Alliance for working toward a justice system that is fair and just for all regardless of Zip code, background, and experience.”
The call-to-action for the day was Get Engaged. Panel discussions highlighted Delaware’s expungement process and legislative progress, comprehensive reentry supports, efforts to address recidivism, and culturally proficient interventions like H.E.A.T (Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy).
“When you get brilliant minds from all walks of life in the same room—formerly incarcerated individuals, law enforcement professionals, lawmakers, and advocates—that’s when the most amazing solutions can happen. You can’t teach what you don’t know; you can’t lead where you don’t go. At REFORM, we’ve seen firsthand that ensuring people with lived experience have not just a seat at the table but lead the charge alongside those in power to make change is how transformation takes shape. When you really listen to communities and build partnerships across diverse perspectives, that’s the true power of today’s Day of Action,” said Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, Chief Marketing Officer, REFORM Alliance.
Added Erin Haney, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, REFORM Alliance:
“There is incredible momentum for the inspiring justice reform already building here in Delaware. Not only do we have the opportunity to learn about and highlight hard-won victories that are touching thousands of lives – but we are charting a course for further change. A true ‘reimagining’ of the justice system that safely reduces incarceration and supervision, invests in communities over prisons, and replaces cycles of crime and recidivism with hope and opportunity. We’re grateful to the many leaders standing up for meaningful justice reform in Delaware, and especially Lt. Governor Hall-Long and her team, Senator Darius Brown, and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown for their partnership and collaboration.”
Through the leadership of Senator Brown and Rep. Minor-Brown, during the past few years Delaware has led on restorative justice legislation that has reformed the expungement process, banned deceptive interrogation techniques, and addressed barriers to employment, among other initiatives.
“Our criminal justice system needs work. No one can deny that. Over the past few years, we have passed numerous bills to try to create a more just system here in Delaware, but we can’t do it alone,” said House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown. “The Delaware Day of Action offered myself and my colleagues in the General Assembly the opportunity to hear from so many different voices on the topic of restorative justice. I am certain this will prove to be invaluable in our work to make sure our criminal justice system doesn’t do more harm than good.”
Senator Brown, a co-host of the Day of Action event, has been described by the Wilmington News Journal as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial equity. The founding chair of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Brown passed legislation that is now helping to remove barriers to education, employment and housing for more than 290,000 Delawareans. He also served as a prime sponsor of bills that enacted the first major reforms to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights in a generation, established new training standards for Delaware law enforcement officers, mandated the use of body-worn cameras, outlawed choke holds, provided legal protections for hair styles historically associated with race, and added an equal rights amendment to the Delaware Constitution, among many other initiatives.
“The REFORM Alliance has been a strong partner in my work to deliver restorative justice and economic opportunities to Delawareans who have earned a second chance,” Senator Darius Brown said.
“That support continued with today’s Day of Action event, which brought together community members, advocacy organizations and elected officials to discuss how we can work together to break down barriers to second chances and get people leaving prison the support they need to turn their lives around,” he said. “I am grateful to REFORM Alliance, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long and House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown for joining me for this latest step forward in our work to improve public systems and help eliminate disparate impacts felt by Black and Brown Delawareans who are served by those systems.”
ABOUT REFORM Alliance
REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. REFORM Board Members include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.
To date, REFORM has worked to pass 18 bipartisan bills in 11 states, which have created new pathways for more than 800,000 people to exit the system.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
WILMINGTON, Del. — Community and state leaders highlighted the need for robust reentry supports to help returning citizens thrive during the first Delaware Day of Action, a special convening for criminal justice advocates and policymakers.
Hosted by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Darius Brown and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown in partnership with REFORM Alliance, the Delaware Day of Action brought together organizations, community leaders, and advocates to discuss systemic change efforts in the First State and how to turn hope into action. Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, REFORM’s Chief Marketing Officer, was a featured guest, sharing his personal story of redemption and how he is making a difference one connection at a time. Wallo grew up in Philadelphia where he cycled in and out of the juvenile justice system before being sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Upon his release, he built a social media platform that reaches tens of millions of people with inspiration, humor, and hard-earned lessons that inspire people across the world to step into their greatness and discover their purpose.
“For our justice-impacted Delawareans, the cards are often stacked against them. I can say anecdotally that 80% of the people who come before me at the Board of Pardons have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Without the proper wraparound services, community support, and government policies in place, coming home can be a one-way trip back to court or worse,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, chair of the Board of Pardons. In that role, she has worked to streamline the commutation and pardons process and advocate for trauma-informed approaches in the justice system.
“That’s why we need convenings like the Delaware Day of Action. Today, we heard from Delawareans with lived experience, community leaders, experts in our legal system and corrections and public safety sector. These experiences matter and make our state stronger. I want to thank Senator Brown, House Majority Leader Minor-Brown, Rep. Cooke, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and Wallo267 and the REFORM Alliance for working toward a justice system that is fair and just for all regardless of Zip code, background, and experience.”
The call-to-action for the day was Get Engaged. Panel discussions highlighted Delaware’s expungement process and legislative progress, comprehensive reentry supports, efforts to address recidivism, and culturally proficient interventions like H.E.A.T (Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy).
“When you get brilliant minds from all walks of life in the same room—formerly incarcerated individuals, law enforcement professionals, lawmakers, and advocates—that’s when the most amazing solutions can happen. You can’t teach what you don’t know; you can’t lead where you don’t go. At REFORM, we’ve seen firsthand that ensuring people with lived experience have not just a seat at the table but lead the charge alongside those in power to make change is how transformation takes shape. When you really listen to communities and build partnerships across diverse perspectives, that’s the true power of today’s Day of Action,” said Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, Chief Marketing Officer, REFORM Alliance.
Added Erin Haney, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, REFORM Alliance:
“There is incredible momentum for the inspiring justice reform already building here in Delaware. Not only do we have the opportunity to learn about and highlight hard-won victories that are touching thousands of lives – but we are charting a course for further change. A true ‘reimagining’ of the justice system that safely reduces incarceration and supervision, invests in communities over prisons, and replaces cycles of crime and recidivism with hope and opportunity. We’re grateful to the many leaders standing up for meaningful justice reform in Delaware, and especially Lt. Governor Hall-Long and her team, Senator Darius Brown, and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown for their partnership and collaboration.”
Through the leadership of Senator Brown and Rep. Minor-Brown, during the past few years Delaware has led on restorative justice legislation that has reformed the expungement process, banned deceptive interrogation techniques, and addressed barriers to employment, among other initiatives.
“Our criminal justice system needs work. No one can deny that. Over the past few years, we have passed numerous bills to try to create a more just system here in Delaware, but we can’t do it alone,” said House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown. “The Delaware Day of Action offered myself and my colleagues in the General Assembly the opportunity to hear from so many different voices on the topic of restorative justice. I am certain this will prove to be invaluable in our work to make sure our criminal justice system doesn’t do more harm than good.”
Senator Brown, a co-host of the Day of Action event, has been described by the Wilmington News Journal as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial equity. The founding chair of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Brown passed legislation that is now helping to remove barriers to education, employment and housing for more than 290,000 Delawareans. He also served as a prime sponsor of bills that enacted the first major reforms to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights in a generation, established new training standards for Delaware law enforcement officers, mandated the use of body-worn cameras, outlawed choke holds, provided legal protections for hair styles historically associated with race, and added an equal rights amendment to the Delaware Constitution, among many other initiatives.
“The REFORM Alliance has been a strong partner in my work to deliver restorative justice and economic opportunities to Delawareans who have earned a second chance,” Senator Darius Brown said.
“That support continued with today’s Day of Action event, which brought together community members, advocacy organizations and elected officials to discuss how we can work together to break down barriers to second chances and get people leaving prison the support they need to turn their lives around,” he said. “I am grateful to REFORM Alliance, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long and House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown for joining me for this latest step forward in our work to improve public systems and help eliminate disparate impacts felt by Black and Brown Delawareans who are served by those systems.”
ABOUT REFORM Alliance
REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. REFORM Board Members include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.
To date, REFORM has worked to pass 18 bipartisan bills in 11 states, which have created new pathways for more than 800,000 people to exit the system.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — People in Delaware County said it feels like new housing developments are popping up on every corner.
WSYX
“What haven’t you noticed, right? The whole area just exploded,” said Scott Shonebarger.
Scott Sanders, the executive director of the Regional Planning Commission, said companies like Intel and other industries are a main driver for thousands of people moving to Delaware County.
With the big boom comes an urgent need for more housing.
John Wicks is the developer at Real Property Design and Development.
He has spent over a decade building homes for families in Delaware County.
Wicks said the Olentangy School District is one of the hottest spots for new homes.
“I started with one high school up until the 90s, then now we’re up to four up to five different high schools so it’s just a big draw,” said Wicks. “It’s a beautiful community.”
The district has grown into the fourth largest in Ohio with a new elementary school opening next year, and a fifth high school in 2028.
Wicks said the growth has presented some challenges over the years like labor shortage and some opposition.
“It’s become a big issue for a lot of people that live in and around these areas. They tend to oppose new growth and new development, so restrictions have gotten a little bit harder. Costs have obviously gone up over the last 20 years,” said Wicks.
The planning commission says between 275,000 and 350,000 people could call Delaware County home by 2040.
That’s up from 214,000 in 2020.
Scott Shonebarger said he supports growth but wonders when is enough.
“I mean to a certain extent I think you know at some point right you have to have some sort of boundaries I think, getting into the fact that now you have five high schools,” said Shonebarger. “What’s the limit?”
Police in Wilmington, Delaware, shot and killed a 19-year-old man Wednesday night.
The incident happened in a residential area near 24th and Jessup streets just after 11 p.m., Wilmington police said in a news release. The person who was shot has not been publicly identified.
Officers were monitoring a large crowd gathered outside when they saw a man exit a home with a handgun and point it toward the crowd, police say.
When officers approached the man, he ran away and a foot pursuit began, police say.
At some point in the chase, an officer fired their weapon and hit the 19-year-old. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police say they recovered a loaded gun from the man and that the officer was not injured.
Video filmed at the scene shows a crowd of residents gathered outside after the shooting.
Police are asking anyone with more information to come forward. The shooting is under investigation by the Delaware Department of Justice and Wilmington police.
Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura announced Wednesday that she will lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.
She will step down from the bench of Delaware’s highest court in late July, after choosing not to seek reappointment at the end of her 12-year term. She revealed her plans for the next phase of her legal career in a special session of the court in Wilmington.
As well as joining the Wilmington University law school faculty, Valihura will be the founding director of the school’s new Corporate Law, Governance and Practice Institute. …
-
Mississippi6 minutes agoMississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026
-
Missouri9 minutes ago
Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for June 25, 2026
-
Montana14 minutes ago‘Hannah Montana’s Mitchel Musso On Why He Missed 20th Anniversary
-
Nebraska21 minutes agoHealthierU opens wellness coaching program to employees
-
Nevada24 minutes agoShaquille O’Neal Foundation donates 260 supply-filled backpacks to Nevada students
-
New Hampshire29 minutes agoPolice: Man stabbed during domestic dispute in Nashua, NH
-
New Jersey36 minutes ago1 injured after vehicle hits tree in West Deptford, NJ
-
New Mexico39 minutes ago1 dead following shooting involving Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office
