FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 15, 2025
Contact: Sarah Fulton (302) 401-1114
DOVER — Long-awaited changes to Delaware’s probation and parole systems have been reintroduced by Sen. Marie Pinkney. Modeled after Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 from the previous General Assembly, Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8 aim to preserve public safety while modernizing the way that the courts and Department of Correction administer community supervision.
For the more than 10,000 people under supervision by the Delaware’s Bureau of Community Corrections, 1 out of 3 of them are likely to be reincarcerated — often due to minor rules violations rather than any new crimes being committed. SB 7 directs the courts, the Board of Parole, and the Bureau of Community Corrections to use the “least restrictive probation and parole conditions” and the “most minimally-intrusive reporting requirements necessary” to meet the goals of community supervision — all while ensuring that conditions of probation are tailored for the specific needs of the individual.
The legislation was developed after months of stakeholder meetings, one of which was hosted this fall at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center.
“Through years of collaboration with our partners at the Department of Correction and several dedicated advocacy organizations, I am pleased to introduce Senate Bill 7 and 8,” said Sen. Pinkney. “In tandem, I believe these bills embody substantial stakeholder feedback that will help us strike a needed balance of public safety with flexibility and compassion for Delawareans under state-supervision.”
One provision of SB 7 would require probation and parole officers to establish meeting times and locations that “reasonably accommodate” the verifiable work schedule of an individual on probation, as well as considerations related to education, childcare, healthcare, and transportation availability. The legislation goes on to allow for remote meetings, such as Zoom or audio-only communication — when appropriate — in lieu of requiring a face-to-face in-person reporting for an individual on probation.
Moreover, a probation and parole officer may excuse an in-person probation visit as a graduated incentive for compliance with treatment program requirements.
Pinkney continued: “All too often, rigid probation requirements can interfere with one’s ability to hold a steady job, take classes, attend health and wellness appointments, or take care of their loved ones. These are the very things that can help someone rebuild their life after coming out of prison, and shouldn’t come at the expense of meeting their conditions of probation or risking recidivism.”
SB 8 codifies standard conditions of probation.
“It’s not realistic to think that a person can walk out of prison, back into society and have everything fall into place. The truth is that for many, our probation and parole system can feel like a vicious cycle set up for failure,” said Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, who previously chaired the House Corrections Committee. “The pieces of legislation filed today will ultimately help us reduce recidivism and create a fairer system. I’m excited to work with Sen. Pinkney to continue our commitment to reforming our justice system.”
SB 7 and SB 8 have been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee, and will be heard before the committee later this month.
###
