Connect with us

Delaware

Delaware lawmakers consider new bill for probation reform – 47abc

Published

on

Delaware lawmakers consider new bill for probation reform – 47abc


DELAWARE – Delaware lawmakers are considering a new bill that would make changes to the state’s current probation system. It would direct courts and the Bureau of Community Corrections to use the least restrictive probation conditions to achieve proper community supervision.

Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 has been in the works for a long time now.  It’s been three years of writing, re-writing, and compromise–but finally, it’s ready to see the senate floor.

“You know, we pride ourselves on being the first state, and I think we need to take ownership of what that means, being the first to do things and being unique in how we do things,” said Delaware State Senator Marie Pinkney, the primary sponsor of the bill. She said its well past time for Delaware to update its probation system.

“I get a lot of outreach from people who are either in prison, people who are on probation, or their loved ones talking about the difficulties that they have had with probation. [They feel] like probation has got them caught up in kind of like a ‘gotcha.’”

Advertisement

In its current form, the bill focuses on making sure additional conditions and programs that probationers have to comply with are actually relevant —
rather than extraneous or overly burdensome for the individual: “It’s focused on making sure that whatever additional conditions someone gets tasked with are related to their criminogenic needs…related to the crime they committed, or why they may have committed a crime”

The bill would also strike from Delaware code a clause that makes it more difficult for someone on probation to obtain a marriage license. Senator Pinkney said that their initial goal in this reform was much more ambitious, trying to limit the rates of re-incarceration for those on probation. But some community stakeholders–like victims of domestic violence–feared that it would put them in danger: “There were some who felt like there wasn’t going to be enough protection for victims if we were not able to utilize reincarceration for violations of probation.”

After 3 years of conversations and compromise, Senator Pinkney thinks that this bill is a strong start for probation reform, but she still feels that there’s work to do, saying, “We are definitely not done with probation. We’re going to continue to look at how we address the use of reincarceration moving forward.”

Along with the bill, there is also Concurrent Resolution 175, which would establish the Probation System Task Force, comprised of lawmakers and other stakeholders, who would recommend additional reforms to the general assembly in July of next year.

In a statement to WMDT, the Delaware Department of Correction said:

Advertisement

“Over the past year, the Delaware Department of Correction has worked in good faith and in a spirit of collaboration to actively engage with legislators who seek statutory changes to Delaware’s probation and criminal justice system. The DOC leadership team has participated in numerous discussions with lawmakers to better understand the intent of the legislation, and we  have provided detailed written responses to the initial language and every revision to the proposed legislation that highlight the intended – and unintended – impacts, affirm provisions that the DOC supports, and identify opportunities for further data-driven analysis. The DOC remains engaged in this dialogue, framed by a deep commitment to our dual mission to protect the public and promote successful reentry through safe and secure facilities, effective supervision, and rehabilitative services.

At this time, the DOC is carefully reviewing Senate Substitute 3 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 175, which were introduced yesterday.  We will be able to provide comment and feedback when that review is complete.”

Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 is currently out of committee, and on the ready list for consideration.





Source link

Advertisement

Delaware

Check out these softball photos from Delaware Online High School Media Day

Published

on

Check out these softball photos from Delaware Online High School Media Day


play

They don’t call them celebrations anymore.

Delaware’s high school athletes have shortened that word to “celly.”

Advertisement

It’s what you do to pump up your team, recognize a teammate for a big play or maybe throw off an opponent.

We recently asked players to share some of their best cellies at Delaware Online High School Baseball and Softball Media Day at Frawley Stadium, and they had some good ones.

“A big celly I like to do is I like to do a little motion to my parents in the outfield when they’re watching,” said Madison Evans of Archmere softball. “In the dugout, I like to be as loud as possible for every teammate I can, no matter who’s up to bat.”

Advertisement

Milford softball lets the dogs out.

“We all just bark,” the Buccaneers’ Madison Webb said. “… A loud dog. A very loud and annoying dog.”

With the Masters right around the corner, Dover catcher Ryan Perkins often borrows a motion from one of his other favorite sports to celebrate.

“I’m a big golf guy, so I hit a little pitching wedge into the green,” he said.

Advertisement

Then there is the Cape Henlopen softball team, which does something appropriate for a school located a mile from the Atlantic Ocean.

“We do like a little scuba thing if we hit a double,” Alivia Longo said. “We also like to eat candy in the dugout sometimes, so we’ll just say, ‘Hey, where’s the candy at?”

We also took a lot of photos at media day – hundreds and hundreds of photos of players and coaches from 54 teams around the state. Take a look through the first batch – these are focused on softball – and come back to Delaware Online over the next few days as we release more.

Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists served as the presenting sponsor of the event.

Advertisement

ShopRite provided a free lunch for all in attendance, and Birdie’s Links and Drinks also sponsored the media day.

Special thanks to Andrew Layman of the Riverfront Development Corporation, who allows Delaware’s top high school players to enjoy the state’s only professional baseball stadium.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on X: @BradMyersTNJ. Follow us on Instagram: @DEGameDay



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Delaware

ChristianaCare and CHOP pediatric health partnership launches April 1

Published

on

ChristianaCare and CHOP pediatric health partnership launches April 1


ChristianaCare patients will have access to CHOP’s specialty programs including surgery, cardiology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology and genetics, officials said.

The health systems also intend to collaborate on research and educational initiatives.

Dr. Janice Nevin, president and CEO of ChristianaCare, called it a “defining moment” for pediatric care in Delaware.

“Through our affiliation with CHOP, we are combining strength with strength to deliver world class pediatric subspecialty care right here in our community,” Nevin said in a statement. “This partnership is an important step forward to ensure that every child and every family have access to the exceptional care they deserve — when and where they need it.”

Advertisement

ChristianaCare operates three hospitals and outpatient health offices for adults and children in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. CHOP’s network includes its flagship hospital in Philadelphia, another inpatient hospital in King of Prussia, as well as primary care offices and clinics across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

Record numbers of hunters ready for Delaware’s spring turkey season

Published

on

Record numbers of hunters ready for Delaware’s spring turkey season


Brixi, a young turkey hunter, with her first Delaware gobbler harvested during a recent season /Delaware DNREC photo by Lauryn Downes

 

Youth Hunt Expanded to Include Ages 15 and Under; DNREC
Again Reminds Hunters to Register All Harvested Turkeys Online

 

Advertisement

Delaware’s upcoming spring turkey hunting season has been extended by a day thanks to a recent regulatory change, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.

The season will run from Saturday, April 11, through Sunday, May 10, as published in the Register of Regulations, offering turkey hunters with selected permits (Segment D) an additional day of hunting.  The extra Sunday of turkey hunting for Segment D hunters is noted in the online version of the 2025-26 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide but not in print versions of the guide, which were produced before the regulations were amended.

The season will open with a special two-day youth and non-ambulatory hunt Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. In another regulatory change this year, young people under 16 years old may participate in youth hunts. Youth must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older who has completed a Delaware-approved turkey hunter safety class and who possesses a Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN). Accompanying adults may not hunt during the special youth-day hunt.

Regular-season turkey hunters under the age of 13 also must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older who has completed a Delaware-approved turkey hunter safety class and who possesses a Delaware hunting license or a License Exempt Number (LEN).

Non-ambulatory hunters who participate in the special two-day hunt must use a wheelchair for mobility.

Advertisement

A permit is required for anyone who hunts on public lands – the permits can only be used on the public land location and during the turkey season segment for which they have been issued. Sunday hunting for turkeys is allowed on private lands with landowner permission and on state wildlife areas. Hunting on Sunday is not permitted on state forests or the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Bombay Hook NWR and Prime Hook NWR.

Record numbers of turkey hunters are expected to pursue Delaware gobblers this year after an all-time high of 992 turkey hunting applications were submitted for the 2026 spring turkey hunting permit lottery – with 540 permits made available to hunters for the upcoming season. For more information about hunting on state wildlife areas, wild turkey hunting in Delaware or the annual turkey hunting permit lottery, visit the de.gov/hunting webpage.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife also reminds hunters who bag a turkey that they must now report their harvest online or by phone rather than at an in-person check station. Hunters can register their turkey after logging into their DigitalDNREC account – or may expedite recording their information by clicking the Quick Hunting Registration link at the Digital DNREC app, or by calling 855-DEL-HUNT (855-335-4868).

Additionally, Delaware turkey hunters are reminded that the Division of Fish and Wildlife is continuing to expand new turkey harvest reporting procedures started in 2025. Hunters are now required to complete their turkey harvest report card prior to moving their bird from the location where it was harvested. Further change requires all first-time turkey hunters in Delaware age 13 or older to successfully complete a DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife-approved turkey education course.

Hunters who have completed the course receive the turkey harvest report card when purchasing their license or obtaining their License Exempt Number. Any hunters who took the turkey education course but did not receive a turkey harvest report card when obtaining a license or LEN should contact the DNREC Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600 ext. 1. For more information about turkey hunting and the registration procedures, hunters should refer to the online Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Advertisement

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 75,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Alyssa Impressia, alyssa.imprescia@delaware.gov

###

image_printPrint





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending