DE Probation Reform bill to be reintroduced with smaller fiscal note, more implementation guidelines

DOVER, Del. – Delaware’s probation reform efforts are one step closer to moving forward,  as Senator Marie Pinkey is set to introduce an amended version of Senate Bill 4 this week.

The bill would create an individualized plan for those leaving prison and going on probation, ending a practice of minor violations and sending Delawareans back into prison.

The bill amendments work out the technicalities of which agency will create those plans, and remove a large and expensive data collection provision that would make the bill cheaper to implement by millions of dollars.

Probation under the bill would have guidelines tailored to the individual, with less punitive actions against those who miss meetings, as well as lowering the time-period in which someone is on probation.

The Delaware ACLU says the bill is a major part of their Smart Justice Agenda and believes with an endorsement from Governor John Carney, the bill has a strong chance to pass and help reduce the state’s prison population.

“Senate Bill four would end that practice where if somebody misses a meeting with their probation officer or they don’t complete a rehabilitative course or they can’t secure employment, that they don’t end up right back in prison,” Brickner said adding that while he believes the data collection is necessary to help improve future probation practices, a lower not will mean the bill can get bipartisan support.

“It costs, it costs a lot to incarcerate people that a reform to this probation would see going back home and to work, and so there is a lot to like here we believe for both parties,” Brickner said.

The bill is expected to receive a formal vote this April.